SWIMMING.

Thames Star, Volume LVII, Issue 14728, 5 August 1921, Page 8

SWIMMING.

JOHANNSEN’S GREAT FEAT,

“The wonderful man, Johannsen,” said Mr. Curtis, at the inquiry into the loss of the Fitzroy, off the NeAV South Wales coast recently, “when he could no longer be of use about the vessel, set out by himself for the shore, using a lifebelt and a lifebuoy. After being buffeted about all day long, he eventually reached the coast, having savuiu about 14 miles, aad finished up Avith a walk of another nine miles.”

Olaf Johannsen, a man of athletic build, betAveen 30 and 40 years of age, described the events that led up to the vessel turning over. He said that when the Avater avus pouring in, he went below and brought up tAvo of the passengers, after Avhich he again went down and brought the stewardess on deck. When they were all throAvn into the water he SAvam to Avhere the cook, chief steAvard, and engineer Avere clinging to an upturned boat; he tried to get the boat back on to its keel, his intention being to search for seme of the others Avho Avere in the water. Efforts to right the boat, hoAvever. failed, and She then turned to SAvim aay ay. The l chief engineer said, “Where are you ! going? Stay here, and bang on to | the boat.” He ansAvered: “This is no j good; Ave are Only drifting further out.” He then started to SAvim for the shore.

Mr. Curtis: That Avas about halfpast seven, and you were in the water all that day?

Johannsen: Yes,

Mr. Curtis: And you swam about 14 miles —well, we know by the map that you must have donp so? Judge Scholes (Avith surprise) : Fourteen miles!

Mr. Curtis:/ Sounds almost like fiction.

Proceeding, witness laughingly stated, in reply to a question by Mr. Curtis, that he had a pillow-slip over his head.

Judge Scholes: So that you .could be blown toAvards the shcre?

Johannsen: No; the rain Avas beating on the back of my neck, and it Avas very cold. I took the pillow-slip off a pillow and tied it round the neck of my pyjamas. Then I struck out for the shore.

Mr. Curtis (to the Ben'-h) : I think he ought to be given a master’s certificate, without examination.