JOHANSEN’S PLUCK.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14017, 25 June 1913, Page 2

JOHANSEN’S PLUCK.

BRINGS SHIP TO PORT. AVilliam Johansen wont to sleep on the nigiiv of April 29 practically an unknown Norwegian hslicrman; before the next day had closed ho was muster of a 1,300-ton barque; in seven days’ time he was a heio. His feat is a remarkable one. He was picked up by a boat's crew from the Norwegian barque 'Viator, and asked to navigate that craft to Fremantle, as everyone on board wao ignorant of navigation. Johansen knew tuat ho would tome in contact with some scourage of the deep sea. The captain, chief mat«, and a seaman had died uom some mysterious ailment, and other seamen were dying in their bunks. He must have been, fully aware that with a decimated crew and bad weather looming up he stood a good chance of meeting disaster. Yet no blithely clambered aboard per manrope and astnmed command. And ho, but an ordinary blue-sea fisherman, brought that craft safely to port in seven days. His pluck and enterprise . has excited the, admiration of everyone, and'.it is evident that lie is due tor a big ; reward as a salvor. Discussing the salvage of thd barque, the chief harbour .master at Fromaiiuc, Captain Irvine, -observed that the amount of salvage payable -In respect to the piloting of, a vessel , was agreement between the owners of the vessel and the fisherman interested Or by a nuestion which would be-settled by arbitration before the Judge of the.ViceAdmiralty Court. Ho added, that Johansen’s action in boarding, the snip after being told that several of the crew hi»d died and that others were dying in their buntfS was certainly to be com mended j There was no doubt that his bringing her safely to Fremantle in such circumstances was deserving of a very substantial rewkrd.—Sydney Sun.