Terrible Drowning Accidents

Feilding Star, Volume XI, Issue 90, 23 January 1890, Page 2

Terrible Drowning Accidents

It is with deep regret that we record the death by drowning of Mr Thomas Kebbell, a well Isnown citizen, which occurred during the progress of the Firsi Class Yacht Race at the Eegatta yesterday. Mr Kebbell, who has taken greai interest in yachting for many years, was engaged in sailing .the Florence, whicb was owned by him, when the accident occurred. The yacht, which was leading, had completed her second journey round the course, and shortly after passing the flagship Mr Kebbell took the tiller from Dr Fell, who formed one of the party, remarking, strangely enough, "that this would be the last race he would ever sail." He was sitting on the weather g.mwale ol the boat holding on to the 'oilier lines, when he was observed by the doctor to suddenly tall backwards into the water. The yacht, which was travelling at a great rate, was .put about as speedily as possible, and in the meantime Mr Cecil Kebbell jumped overboard with the intention of assisting his father. A small rowing boat, manned by two boys, which had been cruising about, had been brought up alongside Mril Kibbell, and the lads succeeded in holding his head above water until the Florence was brought up alongside. The unfortunate gentleman was then hauled into the boat as speedily as possible. Mr Kebbell had evidently been dead some time before he was taken out of the water. . The deceased gentleman was 71 years of age, arrived in New Zealand by the ship Mandarin in 1841. In co-operation with his brother he built a steam sawmill (afterward a flour mill) in the Manawatu, from which place he was driven by the earthquake of 1855, which destroyed the mill. ■He leaves a widow and six children. Three sons are living in the Wairarapa. and the three daughters are Mesdames H. P. Higginson, A. de B. Brandon, and Tilley (Wanganui). Inspector Thomson received the following telegram from Otaki last night : — " Catherine Mary and Dora Ann Kebbell, 10 and 8 years respectively , daughters of Mr J. Kebbell, J.P., Ohau, were drpwned while bathing in the Ohau river at 11 a.m. to-day." Mr J. Kebbell, father of the twq children who have thus met with a terrible death, is a nephew of Mr T. Kebbell who was drowned yesterday. We feel sure that the people of Wellington generally will sympathise with the members of a highly esteemed family in their severe bereavement. — N.Z. Times. <