Page:Charleston • Irwin Faris • (1941).pdf/57

 Three of us managed to hold on to the swamped boat, the other two men kept up by swimming, the surf at the time was breaking over us. We then called on the Harbourmaster (Alexander Beveridge) to come to our aid; as the two men who were swimming called out to the effect that they could not keep up any longer.

The Harbourmaster (Captain Alex Beveridge) then jumped from the rocks into the surf (three fathoms of water) and swam out to us and cheered us up; he then swam for an oar that was floating, and gave it to Smith who was nearly exhausted. The other man, Henry Tyson, went down before the Harbourmaster could get to his aid.

The Harbourmaster then remained by us, and assisted Smith until the lifeboat came from the shore to our rescue; after one of the crew got hold of Smith, Captain Beveridge then got into the boat, and assisted to get him and the rest of us into the lifeboat. The lifeboat was then headed for the shore and all landed safe, with the exception of the beforementioned Henry Tyson who was drowned.

Witness to signatures, Thos. Dollman, Newsagent. To His Honour The Superintendent, Nelson, N.Z.”

The Superintendent, Mr. O. Curtis, informed the Colonial Secretary of Beveridge’s gallantry. Beveridge had meanwhile resigned the position of Harbourmaster, and on his resignation was presented with an Address from the inhabitants of Charleston, and with the bronze medal of the Royal Humane Society. The Superintendent said that it was the opinion of the friends of Beveridge that if the Governor would forward to the Royal Humane Society the papers dealing with the event, that Society might award Beveridge its gold medal in addition to the bronze one already granted. It does not appear that any action was taken. A copy of the Address referred to is given at the end of this Chapter, together with a list of the signatories.

In 1869 Captain Beveridge presented a petition to the