Black Gang Chine cliff on the Isle of Wight where David Moore saved many lives when the Schiehallion ran aground.
Black Gang Chine cliff on the Isle of Wight where David Moore saved many lives when the Schiehallion ran aground.
David Moore, a brave Auckland seaman who saved many lives when the barque Schiehallion ran aground during a storm off the south coast of Britain is our New Zealander of the Year for 1879.
Former Herald shipping reporter E. Hadrill said the Schiehallion, with 13 passengers and 16 crew struckthe foot of a cliff known as Black Gang Chine during a heavy snowstorm early one morning in January.
"A very heavy ground sea running, the vessel soon gave signs of going to pieces, and a heartrending scene occurred, especially amongst the female passengers and children," he wrote.
"David Moore gallantly divested himself on that cold, bitter morning, and making the lead line fast round his manly chest, sprang overboard and swam for the shore. The high sea and icy coldness of the water nearly cost him his life, but by a supreme effort and at last favoured by an advancing wave, he reached [land] greeted by a tremendous cheer from the vessel."
With help from the shore, Moore was able to rescue all but two people from the wreck; the second mate and the captain's son.
Moore was presented with a medal at a civic function but he was as modest as he was brave.
"I really believe he would rather breast the billows again on a bleak winter morning than go through the ordeal of a public presentation of the Royal Humane Society's medal for gallantry in saving life at sea," wrote Hadrill.
