A HUMAN TARGET

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXV, Issue 13035, 31 March 1910, Page 7

A HUMAN TARGET

Whilst the Atlantic fleet battleships were engaged recently in firing practice in the Channel, the battleship Qucbn was towing .a target at full speed, and the battleship Venerable was engaged in firing at this with her' three-pounder quickfirers. During the operations ■an able seaman named' Bailey fell overboard from the Queen. A lifebuoy was thrown to him, which he seized, but he was soon in close proximity to the rapidly moving target, which struck the lifebuoy and carried it away. At the same moment the Venerable fired her broadside of quickfirers at the target, the seaman’s fall nbt having been noticed. The target was riddled, but Bailey was fortunately not 'touched, his escape being regarded by all on board as a miraculous one. The Queens signalled to the Venerable, and both ships steamer at full speed to the spot and lowered boats, Bailey being rescued in an exhausted condition after being about ten minutes in the sea.