CO129-270 - Public Offices & Others - 1895 — Page 60

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#4 JUN 95

11 JUN 95

ALGAR

Extract from the "Daily Press" of the 19th. April,1895.

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BOATING ACCIDENT OFF LAI- CHIKOK.

GALLANT RESCUE FROM DROWNING.

The innate modesty of the four principal participators has prevented the public from learning sooner the facts of a serious boating accident off Laichikok on Sunday last and the gallant conduct of a Hongkong lad, who was instrumental in saving the lives of two of his companions. We give below what a substantially the narrative of one of the party. Messrs F. G. Stevens, of Messra. A. S. Watson and Co., Mr. W. Stopani, of Mosers, Shewan and Co., Mr. W. N. Humphreys, and Mr. L. A. Batton went out for a sailing piente in srall sobooner. The day was a plesmat one for a day's outing upon the water, and nothing exciting was experienced on the run to Laichikok Bay, where the party went ashore and partook of tiffa. All sails were set and the schooner was started off upon a crni e in a light breeze. The sea was very choppy, and as avery one accustomed to sail in this locality knows, there is always a stiff current ranuing through the Capsuímoon Pass from the Canton River. Suddenly the little craft was struck by a strong equall off the land, and before her crowW could do anything to enable her to recover her equilibrium she was struck by a second squall, which heeled her over so much that she filled with water and sank within a minute, leaving her unfor- taaste crew struggling in the water. The point at which the accident occurred was from a mile toa mile and a half off the land at Laichikok, The position of the party-ali young men was precarious in the extreme All were fully clothed, the current was carrying them away from the nearest land, sad assistance could be expected only from some junks anchored

half-a-mile away, Stopani is aa port swimmer, Humphreys was sufficiently good to look after himself, but Stevens and Sutton, while able to swim, were soon in diffi- calties, hampered as they were with their heavy clothing. Humphreys started to swim for the land, but Stopani, recognising the sheer impossi- hility of swimming ashore against the strong current, called to him to remain with the others and take the chance of being resoned by passing oraft. Stopani had little difficulty it divesting himself of his clothes, and be made an unsacoessful effort to assist Sterens to get rid of a beary yachting jersey, Hum- phreys got off his jacket and rest, in which latter were his watch and chain. Satton, the youngest of the party and the least accomplished

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swimmer, seems to have become almost paralysed with fear, and Stopani at once proceeded to his assistance, supporting him for upwards of twenty minutes, Humph-ye swimming alongside. They were carried by the current some 150 yards away from Stevens, whom the others thought had gone down; and Stevens, when afterwards rescued ia s very exhausted condition, is reported to have given up all bopes of rescue.

The ohoppy ses proved exceedingly troublesome to the whole of the swimmers, but especially to Sutton and Stevens, audivested of their clothes and shoes. There was no desire on the part of any of them to waste their strength in shouting for assistance, but Stopsal's efforts were suCOSSS- fal in attracting the attention of some of the Chinese in the distant junks, and a small dinghy was put off to the rescue. With the greatest difficulty, Sutton was helped into the dinghy. and then Stopani swam off in the direction where Stevens was last seen; Humphreys was too exhausted to do more than hang on to the boat. It seemed at first faat Stevens was past all aid, us be was unable to auswer Stopani's cries, but at last he was picked up and they swam together towards the dinghy. Sutton and Stevens lay perfectly exhausted at the bottom of the dinghy, which was so small that the others were unable to get in and had to be content to hang on to the gunwale. By this time, Mr. Williams and Mr. Wolff, of the revenue oruiser Kwonging, became aware that something was amiss, and they got out an eight-cared gig with emmendable despatch and picked up the whole party and took them on board the oruiser, where they were treated with the utmost kindness and supplied with restoratives and warm, dry clothes. The Kwongeing afterwards landed them at Kow. loon.

The adventure was one of the most eroiting that has taken place in Hongkong Harbour for many years. The wonder is that, considoring the conditions ander which the accident oc. ourred. no fatalities have to be recorded There is not the slightest doubt that had it not been for the unselfish gallantry of young Stopani, one of the most popular members of the V.R.C., Sutton would most certainly have lost his life, whilst Stevens' escape was, to say the least, providential. We have no doubt His Excellency the Governor, so gou as he has an. thenticated the facts we have given above, will see that Stopani's gallantry is brought to the Botive of the Royal Hanane Society with a strong recommendation for the award of the medal of that Society. Such an award was never more worthily deserved.--China Mail.

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