ESCAPED DROWNING

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 90, Issue 13, 16 January 1946, Page 4

ESCAPED DROWNING

SHIPPING OFFICIAL AT DUNEDIN (P.A.) Dunedin, Jan. 15. Falling 15 feet while climbing a Jacob’s ladder on the overseas vessel Norton, which was standing off the George Street wharf, Port Chalmcn*. last evening, a shipping official naijr rowly escaped drowning. The prompt action of the second engineer uf the Norton, Mr. J. Prescott, who dived from the deck ipto the harbour, probably prevented a tragedy, for by the time Prescott reached him the other man was in an exhausted condition.

The departure of the ship for Lyttelton had been delayed while replacements were obtained for four men who deserted at Port Chalmers. The gangway had been taken aboard and the Jacob’s ladder lowered to enable three seamen from Port Chalmers to join the ship out from the wharf when the shipping official was climbing the ladder, and he fell. Weighed down by his clothes, he was floundering helplessly when Prescott reached him. and he was also badly cut about the face and dazed through striking rocks beneath the wharf. The official was brought to safety and given medical treatment.

The Norton was delayed two hours by the late arrival of some members of the crew and, their refusal to sail without replacements for the leserters.