INTO THE SEA.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 October 1928, Page 20

INTO THE SEA.

Haisborougb Sands lie off the coast of England, with a lighthouse at either end. The lifeboatmen call them the Cemetery of the Seas, and it was here that the Georgia, a Dutch oil tank steamer, stranded in a terrific northeasterly gale and bumped so violent!}’ under the pounding of the waves that she broke her back. The two halves of the vessel were driven apart, with half the crew on each half, and those on either half gave up the others for lost. Happily another Dutch steamer was able to get alongside the after half and take off the crew, but the forward half was more difficult to approach. Four lifeboats made the attempt again and again throgh two days and a night, but every time the terrible seas drove them back. When at last a motor lifeboat, with a fine combination of daring and seamanship, did get alongside the tank steamer a heavy sea lifted it on to the gunwale of the wreck, and severely damaged it. But the crew held on and one by one the 1-5 w-recked men jumped into safety. IFor nearly 40 hours they had clung to the wheelhouse, drenched by every wave. Two of them were actually .swept into the sea —and then swept back again! Throughout the night the destroyer Thanet, though unable to reach the wreck, fixed her searchlights upon it. At one stage, when those on the spot despaired of effecting the rescue with tho means at hand, a telephone appeal was made to the Board, of Trade for a special rocket apparatus more powerful than any available on the coast. Immediately a fast car was chartered, which first picked up Board of Trade officials at the docks, then took aboard the rockets at Sutton, and then made a dash for Yarmouth, carrying out thoroughly the official instruction given them to disregard all speed limits! At Gorleston Harbour the local lifeboat took the rockets out to the wreck, which the lifeboatmen hailed repeatedly, only to find that the crew had already been.taken off. They had met them, without knowing it, at the harbour mouth!