["A Daring Act", The Argus (Melbourne), Tuesday 16 July 1878, page 6]
A DARING ACT.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE ARGUS.
Sir,--Yarning with some of the crew of the Cuzco recently I heard of an incident in connexion with the breakdown which I have not seen mentioned--a trivial matter as it happened, but which might have been the cause of preventing serious damage It was that one of the hands, while the ship was in mid ocean and pitching, went down to the propeller and passed a line under the end of the shaft, by means of which line a chain was passed under the propeller to support it and prevent it slipping aft. The chain was, I heard, kept in position from very shortly after the breakdown until the ship arrived off Portland. The precaution seems now to have been unnecessary, but I think that the willingness of the man who volunteered to pass the line deserves to be brought under the notice of the owners. It is not every man who would have done the same thing
under the same circumstances.--I am, &c.
July 13. SECOND MATE.
