FIGHT WITH DEATH

Southland Times, Issue 22009, 8 May 1933, Page 8

FIGHT WITH DEATH

CREW’S SEVERE ORDEAL. “SIX DAYS OF HELL.” Heroism on the part of British seamen during what has been described as “six days of hell” in the Caribbean was revealed at Liverpool a few weeks ago. The Lord Mayor of Liverpool has offered to give civic recognition to the officers and men of the cargo steamer Themius on their return home from Kingstown. Disabled by 80ft waves in a 200 miles per hour hurricane, the Themius drifted for six days in shark-infested waters. Her huge tarpaulin became shredded, her funnels were blown away, her two lifeboats smashed, her fires extinguished. and the officers’ rooms flooded. Fire on deck added to the terrors of starvation and thirst for nearly a week. Thousands of birds, butterflies and moths fell exhausted on the ship, in the wake of which hundreds of Sharks and other big fish followed. The officers and crew made temporary repairs, lived on tinned beef and hard biscuits and snatching a few hours sleep on chairs won the fight with death. On reaching Kingstown all attended a church service in fulfilment of a pledge to offer thanks for deliverence. The Lord Mayor of Liverpool has sent the following cable to Captain Evans:—“The wonderful story of the fine endurance of yourself and crew in the terrible ordeal of the Themius fills us with great pride, and I should be honoured to express our sentiments personally when you arrive.”