FATAL BOAT ACCIDENT ON THE WAIMAKARIRI.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 1062, 22 November 1877, Page 3

FATAL BOAT ACCIDENT ON THE WAIMAKARIRI.

J,i was hoped that this river had received (he last of its victims some months ago, seeing that a long interval has elapsed since the last fatal accident by drowning happened, but between eight and nine o’clock p.rn. the public of Kaiapoi was alarmed to learn that a boat had been upset, and the accident had resulted in the drowning of Miss Gulliver, eldest daughter of Mr J. Gulliver, baker, Eangiora. As is usual at such times the first report received was to the effect that some children in the boat at the time of the capsize had also been drowned, but this fortunately was not the case, although they had a narrow escape, and must also have come to an untimely end but for the promptitude displayed by Messrs E. Day and G. Wright, who, seeing the accident, pluckily pulled their boat to the rescue, succeeding thereby in saving the other oecu pants of the boat to which the mishap occurred. So far as our reporter could connect the particulars received, the facts of the case appear to be these, viz., that Messrs J. Wintorhourn, custodian lor the Cure Boating Club, and Cr. G-ullivier, a member of the same club, about 6 pjp... took out one of the sculling boats to row the deceased lady (whose age is about seventeen) and two little girls or er the river from the boat sheds to the moutii of the river and back. Master F.

Weston, son of Mr W. Weston, builder, was steering. The row to the river must have been a pleasant one, but, as it was neared, the river, we are informed, became a trifle rough. A.s our informant says—“ The bar was smooth. Ihere was a nasty jobble on in the river.” At the bar there were the two sail boats —the Ariel, in charge of Mr C. E. Dudley, and the Dot, in charge of Mr J. 11. Evans, and Messrs R. Day and G. Wright were sailing out in one of the pilot station’s boat. Tho crew of the unlucky boat having apparently decided to return were seen by Day, Wright, Dudley and Evans, as well as two others named Mellor and Booth, to be turning, when one of the party stood up and the whole immediately disappeared. Day and Wright drew down sail and made a desperate spurt to the rescue, succeeding in taking up Gulliver, and the two little girls (believed to be relations of the deceased). Winterbourn was next assisted, and Weston managed to swim ashore. Miss Gulliver put out her hand to reach the rescuer’s, but missed catching hold, and the current setting strong on the ebb tide and a little fresh, she was carried under. Day thought at the time of rescuing one of the children that he had hold of two hands of one person, but subsequently thinks he had hold of two persons, but all being under water was uncertain, Mellor and Booth had come up with their boat meanwhile, and Evans shortened sail and rowed to the spot, Dudley sailing the Ariel on in the hope of effecting a rescue lower down, but only succeeded in obtaining the hat and jacket of deceased. Winterbourn was much exhausted, and after being conveyed to a house near, Dr. Ovenden was sent for, but it is expected he will recover the shock. Gulliver, Weston, and the children were no worse. The accident is supposed to have been caused by the boat filling -when turning. It seems to have been a somewhat imprudent thing to take such a light boat into rough water, although it has teen done previously with a large number of persons in it. The accident happened at 7.30 within half a mile of the north spit. Mr J. H. Evans picked up the boat, which had not turned over. The police at a late hour with a volunteer crew were dragging for the body, but at the time of our special messenger leaving Kaiapoi without success. It is every way probable that the body will be recovered on the south beach, towards which the sea current sets. This sad affair has cast quite a gloom over the district, and great sympathy is felt for the deceased’s friends and relations, with whom she was a general favorite.