It so happened that there was no one at the moment on Tate Hill Pier, as all those whose houses are in close proximity were either in bed or were out on the heights above. Thus the coastguard on duty on the eastern side of the harbour, who at once ran down to the little pier, was the first to climb aboard the ship.

The men working the searchlight, after scouring the entrance of the harbour without seeing anything, then turned the light on the derelict and kept it there. The coastguard ran aft, and when he came beside the wheel, bent over to examine it, and recoiled at once as though under some sudden emotion. This seemed to pique general curiosity, and quite a number of people began to run.

It is a good way round from the West Cliff, but your correspondent is a fairly good runner, and came well ahead of the crowd. When I arrived, however, I found already assembled on the pier a crowd, whom the coastguard and police refused to allow to come on board. By the courtesy of the chief boatman, I was, as a journalist, permitted to climb on deck, and was one of a small group who saw the dead seaman whilst he was actually lashed to the wheel.

Vocabulary:

Close proximity: Nearby
Scour: Here it means 'search'
Derelict: Something empty and abandoned
Aft: Toward the back of a ahip
Recoil: Jump or jerk back
Pique: Start a sudden feeling
Your correspondent: The writer of an article
Courtesy: Politeness, favour
Lash: Here it means 'tie'