The adventures of Vigilant

The landing on Kawau island, the Auckland pleasure resort and former home of Sir George Grey,...
The landing on Kawau island, the Auckland pleasure resort and former home of Sir George Grey, showing the accommodation house. — Otago Witness, 20.12.1916.
One of the most extraordinary voyages ever made across the Atlantic was completed early in November by the Vigilant, a little American tug, belonging to New York, and bound from St John’s, Newfoundland, to Cardiff.

Two days out from St  John’s the Vigilant experienced terrific weather, and on the fifth day, she sent out S.O.S. calls, the captain fearing she would founder. The Holland-Amerika liner Ryndam picked up the signals, and processed to her assistance. The captain and 12 of the tug’s crew were taken off by the Ryndam, which was bound for Rotterdam, but three men refused to leave. They were the second mate, Robert Ferguson, a Scot, the third engineer, Thomas Walsh, an Irishman, and an American fireman named John Smith. Taking control of the ship, these three men overcame tremendous difficulties, and actually succeeded in bringing her within sight of the Irish coast, where they were picked up by a British patrol vessel. Ferguson was locked in the wheel-house, and the other two in the engine-room. The terrible weather prevented them from moving, and they remained at their posts for 50 hours, without food, water, or sleep. Several parts of the ship were smashed in the gale, including the shaft of the dynamo in the engine-room. This caused the tug to be in total darkness by night, and added to the horrors of the situation.

• The following message from the Minister of Defence is issued with the request that the defence authorities assist in its circulation and use on Christmas morning at 8 o’clock: ‘‘To New Zealand’s sons and daughters across the seas. With Christmas greetings from your countrymen, who are proud of your splendid achievement, and who are in continual union with you in spirit and thought. Make this union more real by joining with us, wherever you may be, at 8 o’clock on Christmas morning, by which hour every New Zealander has been invited to pray for your protection and continual success, for the restoration to health of all sick and wounded, for comfort to those who suffer, and for your safe return home after the work you set yourselves to do has been accomplished, and a lasting and honourable peace has been won.’’

• In the last issue of the Gazette a proclamation was published declaring Sections 5 and 6 of ‘‘The Impounding Act, 1908’’, to be in force in the City of Dunedin as from December 1.  Section 5 empowers the occupier of any unfenced land trespassed on by cattle to impound the animals and recover fees for driving. Section 6 empowers the occupier of fenced land  trespassed on by cattle to recover trespass rates as fixed by the Act, or, at his option, to claim for actual damage sustained by him in consequence of such trespass.  Under these provisions, any person who allows his cattle to wander on to private property, whether it is fenced or not, will be called upon to meet a bill before he gets his animals returned. — ODT, 23.12.1916.

• COPIES OF PICTURE AVAILABLE FROM ODT FRONT OFFICE, LOWER STUART ST, OR WWW.OTAGOIMAGES.CO.NZ

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