THE FATAL BOAT ACCIDENT.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 4137, 25 October 1884, Page 3

THE FATAL BOAT ACCIDENT.

Auckland, This day. The following particulars are to hand of the drowning of Mr Decimus Atkinson at Kaipara. The deceased went out sailing on Thursday in company with Mr W. H. Metcalfe and family, and when just opposite the township a heavy squall struck the boat, which capsized and sank immediately. Mr Metcalfe at once went to the assistance of his wife, who had a baby in her arms, and supported them both until some boats reached them. It would appear that Mr Atkinson attempted to help two children, but for some resson suddenly left them and disappeared, as when

the boats arrived, five minutes after the accident, he could not be seen, though every effort was made to find him. Mr Metcalfe kept the heads of both his wife and baby out of the water until rescued. Tho other two children were picked up by the boats, and they have all now recovered from the effects "of their temporary immersion. Tho boats were dragging from the time of the accident until dark yesterday, but only succeeded in recovering a boot. They are now using every means to recover the body of Mr Atkinson. The sad accident has cast quite a gloom over the settlement, and great sympathy is expressed for Mrs Atkinson and family in their bereavement.