DROWNING OF COMMANDER GOWLLAND.

Evening Star, Issue 3600, 5 September 1874, Page 3

DROWNING OF COMMANDER GOWLLAND.

From the ‘ Sydney Empire * we obtain the following particulars concerning the melancholy accident which happened at Port Jackson recently, by which Commander Gowlland, R.N., and a seaman lost their lives : Commander Gowlland, with a boat’s crew of four men, whose names were Petersen, Nicholls, Yenus, and Gardiner, was engaged surveying, off Dobroyd, at about one p.m. yesterday. Soundings were being taken rather close to the rocks at Dobroyd Point, the weather being beautifully fine at the time, and only a moderate lift of a sea running. When the lead-line got foul of the bottom, and, while the boat’s crew were attempting to clear the line, the boat was brought broadside to the rollers. Unexpectedly, a roller struck the boat and capsized it, throwing the crew into the water. All managed to get upon the bottom of the boat, which was a large skiff, about 30ft in length with 6ft beam ; but they found it very difficult to hold on, and the waves washed them off several times. The boat did not appear to drift, as the lead-line held it by the bows. The men remained in this position for some time ; and then, as there was no sign of assistance coming, Commander Gowlland, being an expert swimmer, determined to strike out for the shore, and obtain help for the others. He questioned the men as to whether they could swim, and upon receiving a reply in the negative from Gardiner, said, lam sorry for you.” Then he struck out for the beach, going at a good pace; but very soon he appeared to become exhausted, and was seen to struggle for a minute, and then to disappear beneath the surface. Whether the boat was drifting towards the shore at this time or not is not explained, but it is stated by the men who escaped death, that the water being very clear, they saw Commander Gowlland sink and die on the bottom with his face upwards. It appeared to the crew at this time that the sea was rising, and that their only hope of life was to swim for the shore. Petersen started but met the same melancholy fate as his officer. Nicholls and Yenus then left the boat, and swam for the beach. Nicholls is described as going along like an eel, and he soon reached the shore in safety. He immediately started off with all haste, in the direction of North Haibor, to procure assistance. Yenus soon after reached the shore, and scrambled on land much exhausted. Gardiner remained clinging to the capsized boat, and he was afterwards rescued by smother boat, wind* Nicholls was the means of pending. Information of the catastrophe was conveyed to Manly Beach, and . the steamer Breadalbane left at once to bring the news to Sydney, Commander Gowlland, it is said, had been suffering lately from rheumatism and bronchitis, and he consequently could not have been in his full strength when he was battling foi his life in the water.