FIREMAN JUMPS OVERBOARD

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16339, 13 May 1927, Page 12

FIREMAN JUMPS OVERBOARD

THE IGA WATER

The, Wanganui River is not at all inviting just now, yet. it. attracted two | men on Saturday, when two sons of the i sea. made, a dramatic exit from the Wiinganui wharf. They were iiremen on the steamer Progress, and bad a final lint ter before the ship left, but having gone slightly over the mark had to be escorted to the ship's side by two police ' officials. One oi the men strongly objected to the attention created, and threatened to jump into the “ditch,” meaning the river, if not left alone. Tho threat was not lightly meant, and over- . board he went as the vessel was leaving. It was not a tepid water bath he went ' into, the waters of the river being icy cold. i Instantly the scene was one of excitement, for the inebriated one began to be j carried away by the current, which was fairly strong, at the time. The cold plunge had a wonderfully sobering effect. Another seaman, J. Brown, dived in to his mate’s assistance, and the cause of ■ the disturbance struck out. strongly. : About IGO persons witnessed the mcident, but none ot them displayed any | keenness to assist in a similar manner, j A ship’s boat was duly munched. | Brown appeared to he feeling the effect | of the cold immersion more than ins | companion, and was not so good a swimj mer. and concern .was felt for his safety. ' However, the crew oP the boat pulled | with a will and soon both men- were got ! aboard. Meantime, the second man j had made a valiant attempt to regain tho shore, hut in endeavoring to make the passage lie would have fallen between the boat and Hie wharf but for the timely assistance of one of the police. The Progress put into the wharf | again, and after taking on board the, members of the crew concerned, steamed down stream.