Katinka

On the 23rd July 1900 there was a severe storm of cyclonic proportions with the wind blowing up to 185 kilometres per hour at times. The storm struck the timber port of Hamelin Bay in the south-west of Western Australia and caused several boats to be wrecked as well as causing severe damage to trees, telegraph lines, railway lines and buildings. In the early hours of the morning the German barque was washed ashore and several men drowned as they attempted to swim to shore. Another seven men were stranded on board the battered ship.

This illustrated book tells the story of the rescue of these men by the Harbour Master, John Delfs, and four other men who rowed a lifeboat out to the stricken Katinka in terrible seas and devastating winds. The story is written through the eyes of John Delfs son, Jimmy.

John Delfs and his crew of four (L. C Peterson, Carl Carlson, S. Neilson, and Frank Johnston) were each awarded the Royal Humane Society Bronze medal for the rescue. The Kaiser of Germany also showed his appreciation of the bravery displayed in rescuing the crew of the German vessel by presenting a gold watch with the Imperial cipher and a portrait engraved on the case to Mr. John Delfs, Harbour Master at Hamelin Bay.