Master of the _Irmgard_: "Ship half full of water. Crew can't hold out
much longer. Been through a typhoon. Give us a tow and send aboard a
machinist." A lifeboat was lowered, and our First Officer was sent
aboard with the Second Engineer and a crew. Our First Officer reported
to our Captain: "Six feet of water. Stand by. If she opens up she
will go." A line was made fast, and at reduced speed--with our own
ship severely damaged--we are now steaming to Keelung, the northern
port of Formosa, to leave the _Irmgard_ there and to go into drydock
ourselves. The _Irmgard_ could not have lasted over night, as her
captain declared. And so ended happily another drama of the sea.