A TERRIBLE SWIM FOR LIFE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1735, 9 January 1888, Page 3

A TERRIBLE SWIM FOR LIFE

Mr Harker, oae of the two survivors of a party of six, drowned recently off the Auckland Heads, gives • the following version of the sad occurrence- :— On Monday morning, about 7 o'clock, we left St. George'o B»y. When isve got outside tha North Head there was a blg~sea running, and the wind was strong, with sudden gnsts. We were just about a mile past Gull Point when a fierce squall struck us. Armstrong was steerbg and brought the boat's head up to the wind, but I dent think he oonld have let the m ia'heet out, ar ahe went broadside on quickly, but I cinnot be sure, as 1 was up forward at the time, and hardly knew anything until 1 found myself thrown into the water. The others had been sitting about the coaibings, as the cockpit was almost completely occupied with the dlogy. We were ail dressed In 11 tile more than our shirts and trousers, but I think Debney bad his boots on. When the boat went over we tried to get upon her bottom, but she sank almost immediately. We then struck out for the shore, but oould not keep together long, as the big waves drifted as apart and hid us from view. I am alrroit sure that Debney had his boots on, as be was a strong swimmer, and I lost sight of him iboufc a couple of hundred yards from the boat, and I think he must have gone down then. I did not see Henry Bankart or Armstrong after we had left the boat five minutes. It was impossible to do anything bat keep going with the t'de, as the waves broke right over snd iwamped yop if you went at all to windward. About three-quarterß of a mile, as far bb 1 conld tel>, from the shore I passed Hammond. He was some little dlstanoe off, and I saw him on the top of a wave He cried out to mo, " Its no use, Mr Hanker, I can't manage it, I'll never get ashore." I replied, " Keep up your heart, Herbert ; keep going ;if any of us can do it, you ought to be able to." He struck out again, but I lost eight of him, and never saw him again. For some time then I thought X should never get ashore, as I did not seem to get any nearer, but I did not leave off, end at last touched bottom on a sort of reef. I looked back, but oould not see soy of my companions, and thought I was the only one saved, but I afterwards flaw someone swimming near the shore about a quarter of a mile off, and then a man landed on the point whom I saw to be Alfred Bankart, I hailed him, and he joined me, and we watobed for a long time for any sign of the others but did not see any of them. I was, as far as I could jadge, about an hour m the water. I have swam long distances before, but never one like that swim, or m such a sea, After leaving the plaoe where we got aahore. Bankart and I walked about three miles to Mr George'a at Takapuna, and told him the news. He fixed us up a bit, and gave us some clothing, and after a short rest he drove us to the North Shore, and we took a boat to Auckland. When we got over we reported the matter to the police, and after I went home J sent round and broke the news to all those concerned."