MUTINY IN A GALE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 14, 4 June 1914, Page 3

MUTINY IN A GALE.

MEN OVERPOWERED AND BOUND WITH ROPES. SWIM TO RESCUE IX A BOILING SEA. A story of the terrible experience of a Chilian transport in the Bay oi Biscay, of part of her crew getting out of hand when her position became desperate, and of a gallant personal effort to take help to her, was told on arrival at Falmouth last week of' the Chilian ship, the Maipo. 'The Maipo, which had a crew of one hundred and live on board, and was making for Valparaiso with a general cargo, ran into-a furious north-westerly gale, and in consequence of the ship's cargo having shifted, and of her heavy rolling, her steering-gear smashed. Huge seas broke over the vessel's ..deck, several boats were carried away, the ventilators were smashed, and the hatches torn away. Tons of water found its way below, and the officers' and men's quarters were washed out. The Maipo's plight was a desperate one, and, to make matters worse, part of the crew got put of hand. Prompt measures, however, were taken with sevj eral men caught looting the ship's stores. They were overpowered, and their hands bound with rope. The transport took on a heavy list, and wireless signals for help were sent out. One of the ships that responded was the Nortliam, of Cardiff. She came up with the distressed vessel when seas were sweeping her deck?, and there was great danger of her foundering. A boat was launched from the Northam, but owing to the heavy seas, it was impossible to get near enough to get a rope aboard.

Then it was that Second Officer Evans offered to swim to the distressed ship. With a rope tied round his waist, he plunged into the boiling sea, and, by making' a tremendous effort, succeeded in reaching the Maipo.

Communication, tham'kj to Evans' gallant action, was then possible between the two ships, and it was decided that t'ha Xortlium should tow the disabled transport. After two hours, 'however, the rope broke, and then again for live hours the Maipo was at the mercy of the seas, and the Northam lost sight oi her. Eventually, however, it was possible to some extent to repair the steering gear, and the Maipo steamed slowly to Falmouth convoyed by the Korthani.

STILL UXDER ARREST. The men who had got out of order were still wider arrest when the vessel reached port. T..e .VFfUpo. which is of -!!'87 ions, was formerly tlie Manitoba, o;' t!:e Atianlic Transport Line.