PERILOUS POSITION AND MARVELLOUS ESCAPE.

Globe, Volume VII, Issue 758, 24 November 1876, Page 3

PERILOUS POSITION AND MARVELLOUS ESCAPE.

{Colonist, November 11th.) On Thursday afternoon, about three o'clock, Mr W. Lansley, together with a young lady, Miss Gibson (both of whom were formerly resident in Greymouth, started from the port in the boat Eclipse, for the purpose of enjoying a sail. There was a fresh breeze blowing at the time, and when the boat was some distance beyond the old coal hulk, Mr Lansley intended to put her about, and to do this he went forward to attend to the jib, and told Miss Gibson to put the helm down. From what we hear, the main sheet was made fast at the time, and by some mistake was not let go, that the boom of the mainsail struck Miss Gibson's hat into the water, whereupon she leant over to regain it, and in doing so the boat listed. Mr Lansley was also throwu to leeward, the extra weight causing the water to rush over the lee gunwale till the boat filled and capsized. Mr Lansley succeeded in placing the young lady on the keel of the boat, and he also hung on. He tried once to Bwim ashore, but fear for the young lady's safety caused him to turn back, and they remained in their perilous state, their only change of position being when they were waßhed off the boat, and this happened two or three times. At about eight o'clock Mr Joseph Qilbertson. who was passing along the Wakapuaka road, near the cemetery, thought he heard cries for assistance from the direction of the hulk, and not being able to help from the direction of the Wakapuaka road, he hurried into town, and then to the port, where upon his informing Mr T. Astle of what he had heard, they launched a boat and proceeded to make a search in the supposed direction of the cries, For a long time they were unsuccessful, and after they had all but given up the search, a faint ory a few yards ahead of them attracted their attention, They rowed up, and found the two persons named, but Miss Gibson was so far overcome with fear and fatigue that on seeing her deliverers she fell off the boat, and was only just caught by Mr Astle. They were taken ashore as quickly as possible, and means adopted for their restoration. They were then driven to the Miners' Arms, where Dr Bligh was soon in attendance, but some time elapsed before he was able to pronounce them out of danger. Mr Lansley and his companion must have remained in their exceedingly perilous position about four hours. Their escape was as narrow as possible, and the conduct of Mr Qilbertson upon hearing the cry is deserving of all praise. We fancy there are few who would have attempted to overcome so many difficulties as lay in his way in order to render assistance, He had to walk nearly three miles, and then to row about one mile. Mr ABtle's prompt action was also most commendable, and Mr Langley's endeavors to save his companion were most courageous.