On the afternoon of Friday week eleven of the survivors
who remained on board the wreck of the 'Berlin' at the Hook of Holland were rescued after heroic exertions on the part of the Dutch lifeboat crew. The crew worked thirty-six hours without rest, and at the third attempt that day passed a line on board by which the eleven persons were saved. But three women too weak to move still remained on board. The lifeboat crew were recalled to rest in order that they might attempt to board the wreck when the tide was favourable the next morning. In the meantime, however, a Captain Sperling determined to try to save the three remaining women on his own account. Using a "flat," and helped by a few private persons, he got on board the Berlin' and carried off the last three survivors. Thus fifteen persons altogether, including Captain Parkinson, who was picked np almost immediately after the ship struck, were saved. This terrible disaster has been relieved as far as possible by the noble labours of the lifeboat crew, and by the exceptional resource and courage of Captain Sperling. Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman announced in the House of Commons on Tuesday that the lifeboatmen would be rewarded, and that Prince Henry of the Netherlands, who helped in the work of rescue, had accepted the Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath. We are delighted that Prince Henry, who played a very manly part, should receive the red ribbon, but we fancy that all Englishmen will desire that Captain Sperling should also receive some special recognition, unless we have been misinformed as to the peculiar gallantry of his act.
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