HEROIC CAPTAIN

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3390, 4 December 1911, Page 8

HEROIC CAPTAIN

HOW AN ENGLISHMAN STOOD TO HS3 POST.

‘T MUST STAY BY MY SHIP.’

A dramatic account of an English captain’s heroism when the steamship Tucapel, 2,967 tons, was wrecked on August 12 on the Chilian coast has been related by a survivor who has arrived at Monte Video, Uruguay.

“I was thrown out of niy bunk at four o’clock in the morning, and hearing shouts and screams from all parts of the vessel rushed on deck. There 1 found a scene of confusion, panicstricken passengers and crew rushing wildly about.

“Captain Collins was the only English officer, all the others being Chilians. He alone was a'ble to keep his head, and ordered the boats to be manned. Immediately a boat was ready a fierce fight took place, knives and revolvers being freely used. 1 was by the captain when some sailors begged him to come into the boat which was putting off, and I caught his reply. ‘The captain cannot save himself. He must stay by his ship.’ Shortly after this a young girl implored him to save her from drowning. Ho said nothing, lint pressing her hand took oft’ his lifebelt and fastened it round her. She was later picked up safe and sound. ‘‘A woman with three children attempted to enter a boat but was thrust back by struggling men. She then implored the crew to take her three children, and succeeded in getting them all into the boat. She herself was later washed ashore alive, but she was a witness of the swamping of the boat in which her children were. “Captain Collins was the last to leave the ship, jumping into a small boat. When within a few yards of the shore this was swamped, and the captain was ont seen again. He was sixty years of age and had been in South America for twenty years.”