BOATING DISASTERS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1267, 24 October 1911, Page 6

BOATING DISASTERS.

Ti-lEFOXTON HEADS ACCIDENT

FURTHER PARTICULARS.

LADIES AND CHILDREN SWEPT

SEAWARDS,

further particulars regarding the distressing boating accident at Foxton Heads, which resulted in the- loss of eight lives, give the names and ages of thoso Who lost their lives as follow — MRS. AGNES ISABELLA GROVE, wife of Mr Eugene- Grove, motor expert at Messrs. Dunk and Pi'iugle's, and ol Princess Street, l'almerston North, aged 3i years. HEX EUGENE GROVE, aged G years. JOHN HARDY GKOVE, aged 3 years. MRS. FANNY ROBERT, wife of Mr. . Percy Robert, ' uniform and regalia manufacturer, Main Street, Palmerston North. LESLIE KOI3EKT, aged 18. iJUUGLAS ROBEKT, aged 8. iIISS FLORENCE ARNOLD, of Nelson, aged 21 years. iUSS GRACE O'SULLIVAN aged ■ 22 daughter of Major J. 0 bullivan (Director of Equipment Stores, Defence Department, Wellington). A Fresh in the River. On Saturday afternoon Jlr. and Mrs. Hobert, with their children, motored from Palmerston North to Foxton, and a largo party went out to the now watering placo at tho Heads Hint has grown so popular a resort for Palmevstonians (says tho "ilanawatu Daily Times"). With the party were Mr. and Mrs. E. R. B. Holben and Miss Holben, who, it was arranged, should go on a launch excursion with them. On Sunday morning Mr. and Mrs. Grovo and their two little ones motored out to join in the launch picnic. Tho morning Uoko windy, and there was a fresh in the river against which the wind raised a considerable sea. It was decided that it would bo too rough for tho ladies and children, but tho men vent for a cruise, and at about 11 o'clock came back, and it was then decided to take tho rest on board. Mr. and Mrs. Holben still considered it too lough, and remained on thoir verandah, whence they were, with others, to witness the wholo sad scene. While the launch hold off tho shore in tao tide-way, Uins Kobort, oldest son of Mr. and nirs. Bobert, and Cam. Turner, son of Mr. &.. Turner,, were aboard, and Mr. Robert and Mr. Grovo proceeded to.bring the women and children on board. They had a small ilat-bottoraed dinghy, belonging to Air. Larigley, of tho boardmghouse. Swept Down With the Tide. It ; was quite unfit to tako ten people even the three chains out to the launch, us when such a load-was aboard there was only a couple of inches of free board,, However, Mr. Robert sat down to the oare and proceeded to pull them out. Eβ did not-allow sufficiently for the rush of the tide consequent on tho fresh in the river which was sweeping towards the Heads. Consequently they missed • the'launch and were swept down with the tide and out into tho. rougher -water. In his effort: to recover, Mr. Robert's oar slipped in the rowlock,'and those; in the boat becamo alarmed and excited. ' What actually did occur we may never know, but the slightest movement in such a boat so loaded would be fatal. At any rate Mr. TXolben says that he saw the boat swamp in an instant and those near Cleland's store, opposite which tie accident occurred, also saw the occurrence and rushed to the beach. Saw the Boat Swamp. Mr. W. Young and Mr. Langley had decided directly they saw the deeplyladen boat' go out from the shore that there must bo trouble and'ran down and launched another flat-bottomed boat with which they sot out. As, they pulled they saw the boat' swamp and were immediately in- amongst a struggling mass of drowning men, women, and children. While one pulled, the other strove to get Mr. Robert, whom they first came upon, on board, but ho was too fax gone to help them, and as he was a heavy man, they could nnfc get him aboard the unstable "flattie. They consequently made for shore with him. By the timo they dragged him there ho was unconscious, but restorative measures succeeded.. Meantime Captain Mounsey and Mr. Kirk, on seeing the accident', had put out. in another boat.; One story describes them as rescuing Mr. Grove who was swimming, but dazed, though another story credits the other boat with the rescue. The women and children had disappeared, swept' seawards. Captain Mounsey and Mr. Kirk presently picked up three bodies in rapid succession as they were floating to sea and Mr. Young ana Mr. Langley. who had • gone out again picked up one of the Grove children, another being secured soon after. Jliss O'Sullivan and the two Robert boys had completely iisappeared. ,- WHAT AN EYE-WITNESS SAW. •'EVERYTHING HAPPENED SO SUDDENLY." HIGH WIND AND WAVES. (By Telecraph.—SDecial Correspondent.! Palmerston North, October 23. In connection with the Foxton drowning accident, the following statement has been luade by Mr. C. , E. Tiirner, who was i ' in the motor launch watching the boat load of passengers when the accident occurred. He said that he and C>-ris Robert went out to the launch in a dinghy to get ready for the trip. Then ten people in a flat-bottomed boat started to couie out. There was a strong spring tide running seawards, and there was a high wind blowing up tho rivor making tlio water very rough, some of the waves being alarmingly high. The boat containing the passengers started at an angle with the tide, putting off from the shore eome distance above the launch. When they got about half way out tho tide seemed to get too strong, and the boat was carried down the rivor past the launch. In trying to got back the boat turned broadside on. and was swamped. "We in the launch," said Mr. Turner, "wore watching tho boot, and before the accident happened wore trying to get down to them; but .we had, a job to manage the launch, and could not get hex round in time to be of service. In any case I (io not think we could have saved any lives as everything happened so suddenly. Picked up Mr. Grove, "When we got under way wo picked up Mr Grove, who was swimming towards us against the tide. He was just about done when wo got him on board, but ho Boon recovered, and took charge of the engine. At this stage Chris Robert saw the body of a woman in the water, and iumped overboard to try to recover it. Immediately he got into the water, however, he commenced calling for help, as ho had evidently been taken w.ith a seir.ure ol tiie tieart. It was only alter considerable difficulty that wo got him on board aaain. In the mcnntimo wo Ead reversed the engine and succoedeu in picking up Mrs. Robert. Unfortunately all attempts to restore animation were futile. Following that, wo cruised about and passed Mr. Langley and another man in o boat, who were- rescuing Mr, Robert. Wo cruised about further and met Messrs. Mounsey and Kirk, who had picked up tlirco bodies, which we took ashore. We then went right down the river to tho bar, but could see nothing of the other bodies, and we concluded that they must hnvo sunk. After that wo all went ashore, and found that all attempts to restore animation had been unsuccessful, though there were two medical men present. Having ascertained that nothing further could be done, wo went across tho river for Mr. Robert, who was in a torrib!e sf-ato of mind, and brought him ttCTOSS." Steering Gear Causes Delay. Mr Turner stated that the steering gear of the launch did not work very well at fist causing a slight delay, but.as soon iVhe discovered tho foot he seized the Hller itself and steered the boat. The liunch, which was called the Wiuto Swan, was a big one, and really .required tlixso men to.handlo her eifccwvely.

Tho accident happened about noon. The body of Miss O'Sullivan was recovered tliis Morning. Miss Hollxm and Miss Archor, who were to havo been ot tho party, saw the boat leave, aud wero. asked to join it, but decided not to, in view o the decision of Mr. aud Mrs. Holben not Chris. Robort, who jumped into tho water from the launch in an attempt to rescue his mother, four years ago rescued a man from drowning in tho Manawatu Tho late lire. Robert was a sister of Mrs Clifford an old and esteemed resident of l J a!merston North, and sho came to the colonies 25 years a"o when quitu a io Mes)rs n Stalker, L. Ford, P. Danicll, and K. Eslinton rendered valuable assistance in Hie recovery « f tnD bodies, and in the search which was resumed at daybreak this morning.

THE INQUEST.

HOW THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. PATHETIC INCIDENTS. (By Telccranh.—Press Association.) Palmerston North, October 23. Tho inquest on the five 'bodies recovered after the Foxton tragfdy on Sunday was held at Foxton Beach yesterday before Mr. Fraser, coroner, Sub-Inspector Norwood representing tho police. Formal ovideneo was given as to tho identification of the bodies. Evidence was given by George Langley, boordinghoure-keeper. He said he saw Percy Robert and Engeno Groves with Mrs. Groves and two children, Mrs. Robert and two sous, Miss Arnold, and MjSs O'Sullivan set out in an eighteen-foot lint-bottomed boat to get to the launch, which was at anchor about a hundred yards oft', two youths, Crispanus Robert and CampbsU Turner, being on board the launch waiting for the rest of the party. The oars were small and the rowlocks too large. There was only a few inches of freeboard, and it was blowing freshly, and with a "fresh running out of the river. Robert was rowing, and the oars slipped from the rowlocks, Groves recovering them. They missed the launch, and were carried towards the Heads. One of the ladies became excited at the situation Groves took Robert's place at tho oars, aud water bogah to come over the side when tho ladies leant to the other side. Robert stood up and waved his hands for assistance, at the same timo crying to tho launch for help; Mrs. Robert also crying for help. The boat then, went over.

Boats to tho Rescue. Captain Mminsey, W. Kirk, and others ashore saw the peril, and ran to launch a boat, W. Young and Langley reaching it first putting off before th-e boat capsized- Mounsey and Kirk procured another boat, breaking into the shed tor oar?, ill which they also went out. While Langloy's hoat was rowing out Robert's boat .went down. They found Mr. Kobert insensible on the bottom of tho boat, and, being.' unable to get a heavy man into their frail craft, they pulled liim over to the other shore, and with difficulty restored him to consciousness. As tho boat went over, Groves seized Miss Arnold, but was separated from her in the rough water, and swam to tho launch, boing pulled on beard and assisting the boys to go to tho rescue. Tried to Save His Mother. : Oris. Robert sprang overboard to help his mother, and reached her, but not being strong was unable to hold her up, and was with difficulty got back to the launch., which recovered Miss Arnold's body. Messrs. Mounpey and Kirk meantimi) recovered Mrs. Robert, Mrs. Groves, and one Groves boy, all floating face down in the water. Aβ Mr. Groves was helping to lift the bodies on board tho lauacn from Moiinsey's beat he suddenly recognised that tho body ho was handling was that of his wife, and cried, "Oh, Gad, oh God, my wife," and became insensible. He is now completely broken down, and his 'evidence was taken in bed, as was that of Oris'. Robert. Mr. Kobert, senior, was too ill for his evidence to be taken, and is in a serious condition. The coronet found tho following verdict :- "That the deceased came by their death by.drowning in the Manawatn River on October 22. 1911, accident ally and by misadventure," The coroner added a rid&r that he was of opinion that more care should bo exercised in regulating the number of passengers to be carried in rowing boatsFivo bodies were brought up from Foxton to-night by road. The funerals of four of the deceased will bo held hero on Wednesday. The body of Miss Arnold will be taken to Nelson to-morrow. Tho bodies of Leslie Robert (aged IS) and Douglas Robert (aged 8) have not been recovered. Starch is being continued, but the bodies may be swept to sea. * MISS ARNOLD. (By Telecrapb.—Press Association.) Nelson, October 23. Miss Arnold, a victim of the FoxUra Heads boat accident, was second daughter of Mr- Yt. Arnold, of Spring Grove, Nelson. She had been spending a holiday with friends at I'alraorston. Mrs. Groves iv;us a daughter of Mr. John Mead, of \Vai-iti, Nelson, and Miss Arnold had been a friend for many yeaTS. FOUR SAILORS DROWNED. SURF BOAT SINKS. ICCIDENT WITNESSED FROM THE SHORE. (By TelczraDh.-Press Association.) Napier, October 23. As the result of the capsizing of a surf x>at engaged in loading wool on the ;tearuor Fanny from Whangaoliu Station, it Cape Turnagain,. yesterday, four sail>rs, members of the ship's crew, were irav?E«<L , „ According to a statement by Captain Shirley, master of the Fanny, the steamer was at anchor when the surf boat with a load of wool capsized in coming off to the vessel and sank, throwing tho occupants into the sea. There were four men in tho hoat, nnrt two of them were seen clinging to a bale of wool, which, as soon as it became soaked, disappeared, together with the The two remaining members of tho crew clmi" to the bow of the boat, which \v.a= stranded on the rocks in a vertical position. Shortly afterwards a sea broke over the boat, washing the men off. As soon as the mishap was seen a lifeboat was launched from the Fanny, and pulled in the direction of the scene of the catastrophe, but noae of the unfortunate men wc.ro seen again- ~.,,, When the surf boat turned turtle there were also some Maoris in it, but they sprang into the sea and swam ashore. The four men drowned- arc all known to have been good swimmers. All wero single men, their names, age, and nationality being:— A. L. ROSS, twenty-three, Scotland. S." A. JOHANNSEN, twenty-six, Norway. L. OLSEN, twenty-sis, Norway. J. JORGENSEN, twenty-three, Norway. The accident was witnessed from tho shore by a number of people, but they were unable to give assistance. The Fanny cruised about for some nino in the hope of picking up somo of tho mm, but without success, 'lhe Fanny then came on to port. She returned this morning to search for the bodies. SYMPATHY. \t a meeting of the Labour Day picnic officials at Miramar yesterday, the following resolution was unanimously adopted—"This meeting tendore to the relatives of those drowned at Foxton and l'orangahau our sympathy and condolence in their sad bereavement."