THE GRACE HARWAR CASUALTY.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 15, 19 January 1901, Page 2

THE GRACE HARWAR CASUALTY.

ENQUIRY HELD WITH CLOSED DOORS. PRESS REPRESENTATIVES EXCLUDED. An enquiry was held yesterday morning into the circumstances connected with the death of the young man Cornelius Eckard. who was washed overboard from the ship Grace Harward on Boxing Day and drowned.. The evidence of; the captain, steward, and two other witnesses was taken. Captain Briscoe, Mr Vickery, the steward, and Mr Briscoe (a son of the captain) were eye-witnesses of the affair, and from their evidence it was shown that, the unfortunate man' Eckard, who was only 21 years of age, and was a native -of Capetown, was standing on the weather side of the ship; the railings of one side were then under water, and the sea was surging on to the side of the deck. Mr Vickery, the steward, called on Eckard to come to the alleyway leading to the cabin, as his position-was very dangerous. He was then within view of the steward and Mr Briscoe, junr. Eekhard made as if to adopt the suggestion of the steward, but, sad to say, lost his hold, and slid into the water on deck, where he scrambled about for a second or two, and was then suddenly caught by a big sea, which washed himover the rail. He made a dear try for his life, and managed to get a grip of the davit falls, on which boats are hung. He held on desperately for a few seconds; but his fight for life was not to avail. Another big sea caught him ; he was dashed about like a toy, and-was forced to relinquish his grip. He was then engulphed by the sea, and was seen no more. Little effort could be made on his behalf, but what could be done was done to try and give the young fellow a helping hand. Three out of the 'our boats had been washed away, and no attempt at rescue could be made with the one remaining 1 . On the ship itself the men were iri a very perilous position, and while they live they Will remember that dreadful day as the ship was being buffeted by the fearful storm. The troubles now being over, they can look on their rough experiences with' a lighter heart, except for the saddening fact that their fine young comrade, while manfully carrying out his duty, had met with a watery grave. The enquiry was held with closed doors, press representatives being refused admission, _