Rensselaer Democrat, Volume 1, Number 9, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 June 1898 — Strange Vessel. [ARTICLE]

Strange Vessel.

A rock and a fish saved the good ship Nelson from sinking. The Nelson Is an English vessel which recently arrived at Wallington, New Zealand, after a 97days’ passage from Liverpool. When off the New Zealand coast she encountered heavy gales and was driven on a rock. She immediately got off, but water began to rise In her hold despite the crew’s exertions at the pumps. After great difficulty the vessel entered Wellington harbor and extra pumps were brought into play. Still the water rose and tlie captain and crew removed their belongings to land In expectation that the Nelson would sink. Fortunately their fears were not realized, for with better working of the pumps the rush of water was finally overcome. The vessel was subsequently examined by a diver. In his report he stated that In one of the holes a piece of rock was jammed and in another a fish was squeezed tall first, and both were responsible for preventing the water flowing In to a greater extent.—Philadelphia Record.