1 wae ordered to the bow of the boat and then things grew serious, the suction of the sinking Halping was like a magnet, Tt kept drawing jus towards her and it was some time before we could get clear of her side, each wave forcing us aft where she' was awash, the bulwark doors having been burst open by the heavy which made them 100k like Hhungey gaping mouths spewing water. T thought we would land on her after hatch and be dashed to pieces.
T sang out once in the excitement and then crawled as far away in the bow. as I could fearing an oar might hit me and for support I was clinging to the lifting hook.
The sea was getting worse and the Mildura. crowd worked for all they were worth, One cheery lad started to sing "Pack Up Your Troubles" and we all joined in, Afler what seemed like years and everyone pulling with every ounce Jof strength we reached the Mildura.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.