TRAGEDY FEARED

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19164, 22 November 1927, Page 10

TRAGEDY FEARED

MULLET BOAT OVERTURNS.

ONLY ONE OF THREE OCCUPANTS REACHES LAND.

(PRISg i.BBOCIATIOK TIUWEAM.)

AUCKLAND, November 21

! Tragedy befell a twelve-foot mullet yacht half an hour after it weighed (anchor at Milford about 4 o'clock on Saturday afternoon, a sudden gust of wind filling the sail just as the tack was being changed, with a result that the yacht capsized, throwing the three men aboard into the water. After clinging to the upturned boat until darkness descended, they discarded all their clothing and two swam for Kangitoto Island, while the third made for Motutapu Island. One of the two who attempted to reach Kangitoto dragged himself ashore about 9 o'clock, and, alone and naked, wandered about the island in an exhausted state until he was discovered by a quarryman about 5 o'clock this evening. Nothing has been heard or seen of the man who made for Motutapu Island, and it is believed that he, with the other man, was drowned. The missing are: William Williams, aged 28, married, residing with his wife and family at Purchase road, Takapuna, who was an All Black League representative football player. James Bowman, aged 35, marked, City Council employee, residing with his wife and family at Pupuke road, Takapuna. The sole survivor is Stanley John Easdown, aged 48, married, residing with his wife and family at Kawhiti avenue, Takapuna. In a leaking dinghy, the quarryman who found Easdown attempted to row to Devonport to notify the police. When half-way across the channel he was sighted by the steamer Clansman, bound for Whangarei, which was just making for the Heads. Once aboard, he told of his find, which was wirelessed to IYA broadcasting station, from where it was telephoned to the Queen's Wharf police. Within an hour a launch was sent to the island, and about two hours later Easdown was being medically attended in Auckland. His condition »s not serious, in spite of his trying experience. ■ ■