THREE SEAMEN DROWNED

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2320, 30 November 1914, Page 7

THREE SEAMEN DROWNED

FATALITY AT TE AWAITE S.S. KAHU RETURNS MINUS HER CREW" '. AVhile engaged in surfing work at To Aiyaito, some miles north of Castlepoint, at about 5.60 a.m. on Saturday, threo seamen ou the Richardson steamer Kahu,;who were engaged in convoying bales of wool from the shore to the steamer in a surf-boat, lost their lives. Tbo names of the men are as follow:— first mate. . ■ William Lyall Leers, 30 years, P; O'Brien, 32 years, able, ■ seaman. ' D. Mathcsou, 32 years, able , .seaman. ,' The fourth occupant of the surf-boat, a man named Landless, an able'seaman, waij the unly one saved. it How the Accident Happened, ': The Kahu, in charge of Captain Grey, left Wellington for East Coast bays last Thursday afternoon, for the purpose of picking up bales of wool at coast stations. On Saturday morning she had arrived off Te Awaite, and had anchored about a mile off shore. The surf-boat had made one trip out to the steamer, and was returning with the second load when the accident occurred. The boat is propelled by an oil-engine, and when she was outside the reef she was observed to stop ■' It appeared to those on board the Kahu that the engine had broken down. The anchor was let go, and immediately afterwards a big sea came in, and suddenly swamped the boat. Mr. Wilson, second mate of the Kahu, was on the bridge at the timo, and.wlieu he saw what had happened lie immediately called Captain Grey, who was dii deck. All haste was. made to launch, the Kahu's life-boat, and the. task was accomplished in a.very short space';of time,.VMr. Wilson being in charge- of tho craft. When the rescuers arrived at the scene of the accident one .man (Landless) 'was picked up in:'an : exhausted condition. The subsequent search for tho remainder of the crew .was without' result. Tho surfboat, "attached to the auohor, was lying iiva half submerged, condition. -;.; : When the.surf-boat got outside the ireef !on her second journey to the Kahu ;a" light easterly breeze was blowing with 'a;'slight..sea. Eye-witnesses state that .'the'.accident was caused by ii\big sea which- came up in a few moments. _Every minutes it increased, and Captain Gray/signalled to Mr. Wilson not to attempt to again reach the Kahu, but to "make for the shore. These orders were' carried out. Aβ the weather showed : signs of getting worse, Captain Grey-thought , it-advisable to, clear out from tho. anchorage, and make for Wel.lihgtdtij where the Kahu arrived on Saturday .evening, manned by the captain, !engineer,.two firemen, and the cook. .-.Mr. Leers was well known in shipping 'circles;in Wellington, and was a native .of Auckland. He was married' , as re■cently' August 1, and residod'atTJpJsihd Crescent. Kelburn. He had had many, years surfing experience, and was Tecognised as a capable seaman. .' At , one time he was employed on the Government steamer Tutanekai, and was 'formerly-employed as mate of the Stormbird; Kapiti; and Kapunii P. O'Brien, was a native of Ireland, and his last 'ship was Messrs: Levin ana iCo'l.'s. Awahou.■'., •".',.; -. ■,; ■; , .-■ \ D.''Maiheson was a native of Scotland, and joined, the Kahu at .Auckland on October 19 of this year. Hie last ship 'was, the ■Koutumri. -■ ■ ;....,. ~.,.,,