A BOAT ACCIDENT.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1427, 12 January 1885, Page 3

A BOAT ACCIDENT.

(by telegraph). Napier, To-day.

A narrow escape from a fatal brat accident at the port occurred on Saturday. A boat belonging to the ship Waitangi, wbi:b had made an ineffectual aMempt previously to get out against a heavy fl.*od tide was taken in tow by the Sir Donald, and when just off the end of the western pier the steamer was caught on the bow hy the tide suddenly and slewed to the eastward. This brought the boat broadside on, and she capsized at once. Her crew, consisting of five persons, cluding Captain Leeman of the Wat tangi, being precipitated into the strong current. Two of the men began swimming in the direction of the Iron Pot, and those on board the Sir Donald devoted their attention to saving the other three men, one of whom, the steward, could not swim Captain Leeman, fully dressed and with his pipe in hia mouth, just as he was sitting when the accident occurred, immediately made for the steward and supported him till help Arrived. The accident had been observed from the shore, and the pilot boat, in charge of Ar Provis, of H M. Customs, and the surf boat, in charge of Mr H. Croft, put off at once to rescue the men. The two men swimming were first met with, but they professed to be all right and asked the boat’s crows to look after the steward. In a short space of time the whole of the men in the water were rescued, the steward undoubtedly owing his life to the bravery and • coolness of Captain Leeman.