DASH IN LAUNCH AFTER A LINER.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18011, 23 November 1926, Page 8

DASH IN LAUNCH AFTER A LINER.

SHIP STOPPED WHILE WOMAN HAD HURRIED TALK WITH HUSBAND. (Special to the "Star.") LONDON. October 4. A story full of dramatic possibilities would seem to lie behind the chase by a woman of the liner Galicia when the vessel sailed from Plymouth for Trinidad on Saturday. The tender was blowing her whistle preparatory to leaving the side of the outward-bound liner, whose anchor was being drawn up in Cawsand Bay, when two excited women arrived at Plymouth Docks, and said that they must catch the departing vessel. When told it was impossible, their excitement became more intense. " 1 must get on board the Galicia.” said one of them. “My husband is going abroad, and I must see him.” She was quietly told that the Galicia was now leaving Plymouth Sound, and would not make another stop until reaching Trinidad. "I must get a boat; the ship shall not go without me," she cried. A high-powered launch wa9 obtained, and then began a race out to sea to catch the liner.' IN HOT PURSUIT. When the little craft had got clear of the docks, the Galicia's bow was already headed out to sea. The launch crowded on every ounce of speed it could, and blew shrill blasts on it* whistle. Having threaded its way out beyond the breakwater, the Galicia’s engines were put to full speed, with the little launch in hot pursuit. Several sea miles were covered, with the following craft blowing its whistle all the wav, before the attention of the officers on the bridge of the liner was attracted and the engines slowed down. The launch then went alongside, and one of the women made an anxious appeal for her husband. A rope ladder was dropped over the vessel’s side, and a man descended for a moment or two. Then he returned to the liner, the vessel's bridge telegraph rang, the engines went at full speed, leaving the little motor-boat to carry back its two passengers to Plymouth.