1852.
On the 29th of May, 1852, four days after the departure of H.M.S.
'Megæra,' from St. Vincent, an act of great daring was performed.
The ship was going seven knots through the water, when William
Tizzard, captain of the fore-top, in the performance of his duty,
unfortunately fell overboard from the main-yard. Mr. Sullivan,
midshipman of H.M.S. 'Megæra,' with all his clothes on, immediately
jumped from the poop, a height of 20 feet, into the sea, and happily
succeeded in seizing the man, who could not swim, conveying him to a
life-buoy, and keeping him above water until they were both secured
by the ship's boats.