Hankow, Aug. 18, In the usual modest way of the navy details are only now being gleaned with the greatest difficulty of one of the bravest deeds yet done in the harbour precincts of this port, says the "Central China Post" of August 18. The incident occur red last Wednesday (August 16) night when about eleven o'clock the final liberty boat had just taken off men to H.M.S. Peterel which was lying off the Lacstrygon, Unfortunately just as the last man Stoker O'Brien was about to step on board, the motor sampan which was being used took a lurch and he fell into the water. This was seen by Lieut. Singleton who was at the head of the gangway and without hesitation he dived in after O'Brien, and managed to find him notwithstanding the darkness of the night.
'A strong current was running but in the teeth of the difficulties a rescue would have been effected had not the drowning man struggled s0 violently that the two went under till Lieut, Singleton was forced to let go. He, however, declined to give up the attempt and the boat which had immediately put off from the Peterel when the accident happened came across him_ still searching off the Japanese Bund. Lieut, Singleton refused to be taken fon board and made the boat go further down river in a vain attempt to pick up O'Brien and only when they returned and it was seen the search was useless even with the Searchlight and another boat. from the Italian gunboat did he allow them to take him out of the water,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.