A HERO OF THE SEA.
A Hero of the Sea. By J. E. Patterson. (Hodder and Stoughton. 6s.)—After an account of the development of the life-saving rocket apparatus, Mr. Patterson proceeds to his subject proper, the biography of his " hero of the sea," Lieutenant John A. Williams, R.N., Chevalier du Devoir. Life-saving is an inheritance with him. His father was a Coastguardsman, and saved several lives, sometimes at no small cost. Once he saved a woman's life, but had to pay for the pistol which he lost in taking his header. John Williams began his special career at the age of ten by saving his sister. At fifteen he entered as second-class boy on a revenue cutter, receiving sixpence a day and his food, and finding his own clothes. Before long he was rated as " first-class," and got a penny more pay. In process of time he became an 0.S., and very soon afterwards A.B., and was promoted to be Captain's coxswain. Then came the saving of a comrade's life. It may be interesting to the alcohol controversialists to know that the rescued man, who was tipsy, was none the worse, but that Williams, who was sober, suffered greatly from the cold. His third rescue was a Frenchman who had jumped overboard in a fit of delirium tremens, and was bent on drowning himself. He became a Coastguard—few dates are given—and it is in this capacity that his great work of rescue has been done. More than a hundred lives have to be put to his credit, mainly by the intelligent use of the Manby apparatus. We cannot follow the story, but must be content with recommending the book as well worth reading. It contains from beginning to end many picturesque and informing incidents of naval life, besides being a well-deserved tribute to a man of remarkable courage, intelligence, and devotion to duty.
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