A THRILLING RESCUE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16914, 1 April 1929, Page 10

A THRILLING RESCUE

SCHOONER CATCHES FIRE BRISBANE, March 19. Details of the thrilling rescue made .by the Nirvana of David and William McMillan from their burning steamer off Cape Hawke. on Friday last, were secured to-day when the freighter tied up at the quay. It appears that the auxiliary engine on the schooner developed trouble, and an explosion occurred, hurling one of the men against the rail and rendering him unconscious, and showering the vessel with petrol from the engine. The Nirvana, seven miles off, saw smoke towards the land shortly after noon, and on altering its course came within 200yds of the craft, which was then alight from stem to stem. Only one man was seen at the time, but at the approach of the larger vessel he was noticed to have another in his arms, whom he placed in the trailing dinghy and rowed toward the lowered ladder of the Nirvana. The patient was soon brought, round, and barring 1 a few bruises, was none the worse for his adventure.

The Nirvana lowed the dingy six miles, until it arrived opposite the township of Tuneurry. Here the signalling station was told of the occurrence, and as the freighter put out to sea again a fast motor launch was on its way from tho shore to take charge of the dinghy and its occupants.