Nine hundred passengers aboard the Lloyd Triestino liner Conte Verde, witnessed one of the most miraculous rescues at sea to have been effected in Far Eastern waters for many years on April 10. While the steamer was proceeding to Singapore from Manila, A. Cebular, a steward, accidentally slipped on deck and fell overboard, his disappearance being noticed only two hours afterwards, according to dispatches from Singapore.
Notwithstanding the rough sea and strong north-easterly winds prevail. ing at the time which made it almost impossible for the steward to have survived the ordeal, the skipper of the liner, Cav. Alcide Valcini, returned on his course and, with bers of the crew at all vantage points, a careful search made for any signs of life.
After two hours, during which time passengers and crew alike were slowly giving up hope, the captain. who himself took part in the search, suddenly sighted him. The ship was steered as close as possible to the man, who by then was completely exhausted and life-belts were thrown to him, which kept him above water until the lifeboat, which had meanwhile been prepared for a race against death, was able to reach him. Cebular was brought aboard and with the exception of the physical and mental strain experienced during the four hours prior to his rescue, he was none the worse for his experience.
A sigh of relief arose from the large group of passengers who had viewed the thrilling rescue and in an endeavour to show their appreciation to the captain, they gave a cocktail party in his honour the same evening, presenting him with a letter signed by all of them, in which he was warmly congratulated for the tenacity and expert seamanship which he had displayed in effecting the rescue of a human life.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.