THE TUTANEKAI'S ACCIDENT.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 3 October 1901, Page 4

THE TUTANEKAI'S ACCIDENT.

Full Particulars.

The Okarito correspondent of the West loast Times yesterday sent full particulars of the accident which occurred to the Tutanekai’s boats on Saturday while landing stores at Okarito. He says>

The Tutanekai arrived at Okarito on the morning of the 28 th to_ land stores for the district. The crew landed one load on the beach and then the second mate, Mr. A. Bassm, brought the oil launch over the bar. As the bar appeared to be workable, ha attempted to tow a surf boat laden with stores, but when the launch got on the bar, a big wave struck it and strained the rope till it broke. The launch was capsized, emptying the crew into the water, and another wave which followed filled the surf boat which had become unmanageable, causing it to sink. There wore then eleven men in thp_ water. Several of the residents including Constable Warncford who was most active in rendering every assistance brought a boat from the wharf which is up the river about a quarter of a mile and crossed to the Worth Beach. When the boat reached them all the men had been got out of the water and all were greatly exhausted, two of the sailors named Smith and Ifearns being to all appearances dead. Active measures had to be taken to resuscitate Kearns and it was not till he had been rubbed and rolled for half an hour that he came round and showed any signs of life. SmitK came round soon after being rescued. Kearns was taken to Mrs Mcßrides hotel, where he received every attention and he has since made good progress towards recovery. Immediately on noticing the accident, the captain of the Tutanekai lowered a life boa l 'and came in but his assistance was not needed. The damage done is not so great as might have been expected. About two tons of goods were partly destroyed and the boals were not damaged otherwise than by the loss of the loose gear. The circumstances of the upset was quite accidental and no blame was attachable to anyone for it. Mr Cassiu, the second mate, and Mr H. Dilmer, third mate, did what they could for the men and Mrs M’Bride and Mrs Thompson, wife of the Harbour master, arc also deserving of great praise for their humane action! in at once providing blankets, brandy and anything that was required.

The Hinemoa reached Okarito soon after the accident, and her captain put in to make enquiries after the men. It is fortunate the whole incident ended so well, as it certainly was a narrow escape from drowning for most if not all of the men,