LAUNCH TRAGEDY

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 14, 17 January 1924, Page 8

LAUNCH TRAGEDY

THE SURVIVOR'S STORY

DASHED ON THE ROCKS.

In a statement to the police yesterday, the survivor of the launch tragedy at Island Bay, Mr. Charles Collins, bore out the belief of some of the eyewitnesses, that': there were three men on board the wrecked launch Melva.

The third member of the party, Mr. John M'Kay, was standing by Mr. Collins at the time of the mishap. The launch, the survivor stated, left Blackwood Bay, Picton, about 6 a.m. on Tuesday for Wellington. The deceased, Mr. W. Collins,.was running the vessel, attending the engine, and Watching the tiller, while his father and Mr. M'Kay, who knew nothing about the running of the launch, merely stood by. When half-way across the Strait, the launch met the gale, and heavy seas commenced to break over her. Nearing their destination, Mr: Collins, jun., began to have fears as to their ability to make the Heads, and it was, decided to shelter at Island Bay. The'waves caught the boat and carried it out of its course, one big sea turned it, and another dashed it on to the rocks. Mr. Collins could not say whether the, engine was stopped by the rush of the water, but he thought it was firing right up to tho time the vessel struck. Mr. Collins did not' know how he got into the water, and he had only a hazy recollection of someone trying to tie'a rope around him. The- deceased M'Kay is said to have been about 50 years of age and a native of Dunedin. He has been employed in the Seddou. District for the past two years. He has a brother in Wellington. Mr. Collins was to-day' reported to be progressing favourably at the Hospital.