THREE LIVES LOST

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 33, 9 February 1931, Page 11

THREE LIVES LOST

FISHING TRAGEDY

CAPSIZE OFF TERAWHITI

SURVIVOR'S STORY

The fishing launch Islander capsized in the Terawhiti Eip' early' yesterday morning, and two men were washed overboard and drowned and two others were trapped below. Three hours later the upturned boat was sighted by another Island Bay party and towed into smoother water, where she righted herself. Ono of the men immediately jumped into the water and was drowned. The other was saved. The victims of the tragedy were:— A. M. STUART, retired captain,. 50 years, 98, Tiber street^ Island Bay. HARRY STUART, 21 years^ 98, Tiber street, Island Bay. ■', REGINALD R. COPPOCK, 96a, Tiber street, Island Bay. ' : The fourth' member of tHe party was Alec Stuart, 18 years, p£ '98, Tiber street... ■/ . ■:'■'■'■ The launch left Island Bay at about 1 a.m. yesterday to 'fish off Mana Island. On board were Captain Stuart, the owner, his two sons, Harry and Alec, and Mr. R. R. Coppock, managing director 'of R. R, Coppock and Company, Ltd., Wellington. Alee Stuart told a ''Post" reporter yesterday afternoon that he' understood, the.launch was likely to : keep fairly close inshore on account of the tide. It was, he believed, between 2 and .3 o'clock when the- boat capsized, from what he ascertained afterwards, she was then on the Island Bay side of Capo Terawhiti. "I was asleep.in the forecastle at the time," he continued, "and I was awakened by the launch turning over. There was.no chance of getting out, but11 managed to" keep fairly; free of water on the upturned bunk, although ' some' water was dripping in. I could hear my^ brother Harryi who was in the ; engine-room. He, too, was trapped, and was probably ,far more uncomfortable, than I was, particularly on account of the fumes in the engine-room. We spoke to each other through the ; partition, but he knew nothing of th© otherß> who were probably washed overboard when' the' boat turned over.- I could riot hear everything my brother said • owing to the noise of the sea washing'over the vessel. However, I was able to tell him the time, as I had a watch with me. I knew by this < that we were trapped for some hours." LAUNCH RIGHTS ITSELF. When the other launch, the; Norna, arrived jthose on board knew that the Stuarts were alive by their tapping on the upturned hull.' ''It "was some time afterwards that.the Islander . righted itself," Alec Stuart went.on." "We both managed to scramble out, although the boat was waterlogged. Hairy apparently was out first, and he must, have jumped overboard when the Norna returned. She had hurried back to Island Bay to get assistance, and had left a dinghy with two men by us. An effort was made by the Norna's men to-save Harry, but it just failed. He disappeared as a grappling iron was thrown to him. The fumes from the engine-room had no doubt affected him. I was ' rescued as soon as I scrambled out of the forecastle. That was about 7 a.m." - HIS FIRST TRIP. It was stated that Mr. Coppoek had been wanting to go on the launch for some time, and the trip was his first. He was a good swimmer., When the Norna, arrived the first time it was considered 'too risky to; attempt the rescue of the two men in the Islander, and she made all speed back to Island Bay for assistance; after towing the upturned boat *to , smoother .water. The launches Prince and Ika left Island Bay with all available, fishermen at 7 a.m., and shortly after they reached the Karori stream the Islander righted itself, throwing the two entrapped men into the choppy sea. The younger brother was caught with a boathook, bilt Harry Stuart was swept- {out of reach by a heavy sea and disappeared. NECESSITY FOR LIFEBOAT. Mr Andrew Tait, owner of the Norna,' considered that the fatality was probably due to the launch broaching to with the wind and sea on her quarter, with an easterly tide running. The tragedy, confirmed the urgent necessity for a properly-equipped lifeboat. Had such a boat been available Harry Stuart's life would .undoubtedly have" been saved. v . The late Captain Stuart was wpU kndwn as a coastal skipper, his last command being the steamer Kennedy. He retired two years ago. The Islander was specially built for Captain Stuart, Who started fishing with his two sons about 18.months ago. He was a prominent member of the Shetland Island Society. , ■'--.' i ■ Tho late Mr. Coppock was a keen swimmer anS cricketer. His P^ents arc Mr. and Mrs. R. Coppock, of Khan, dallah. He leaves a widow and one. ClThe Union Company's tug Terawhiti put to sea on receipt of the news, and was instrumental in towing the Islander away from the rocks, on to which she was rapidly drifting. She then assisted the two launches to tow the Islander into Island Bay. ~ The Islander was towed back to its moorings at Island Bay late yesterday afternoon. ; The coast from the Red Rocks to Terawhiti was searched all yesterday without trace of the bodies. The search is. being continued to-day.