FATAL BOAT ACCIDENTS IN DUNEDIN BAY.

Grey River Argus, Volume VII, Issue 454, 10 December 1868, Page 2

FATAL BOAT ACCIDENTS IN DUNEDIN BAY.

THREE LIVES LOST. On St. Andrew's Day three young men were drowned in Dunedin Bay, while out boating. We take the following particulars from the Daily Times of the Ist inst : — About half-past seven o'clock in the morning two young men, Mr John Taylor and Mr William Mackintosh, went out for a row in the bay in a boat which they hired. She was leaky, and when near Pelichet Bay jetty they found that she was filling fast. ! They exerted every effort to reach the jetty, but there being a heavy sea on they could not reach the place of safety. They were also unable to bale out the boat, and as she tilled she sank, and then turned over. For some time both the unfortunate young men clung to the boat, but Mr Taylor— who was a good swimmer, struck out for the shore, and was drowned before assistance could be rendered. Dr Burns and a Mr Wood were on the jetty at the time, and they rescued Mackintosh, who had wisely continued to cling to the boat. Mr Mackintosh is in the employment of Mr Johnston, George street, and MiTaylor is a brother-in-law of Mr Clapperton, Princes atreet, being engaged as assistant to Mr Brown, draper, Princes street. His body has not yet been recovered. At about half -past ten o'clock a party of six young men started from the jetty on a pleasure excursion to Portobello. Their names were — Mr Corrigan, of the Bank of Otago, Messrs Cottrell and Buisson, of the Bank of New Zealand, Mr R. J. Macdonnell, of the Customs, Mr Joseph Kempthorne, of the Bank of New South Wales, and a Mr Pidwell. They were in Mr Kempthorne's boat, the Stranger, and Mr Pidwell was coxswain, the rest pulling. It was blowing a gale from the S.W., and this, with the tide running up, caused a very heavy sea. The boat proceeded safely to Black Jack's Point; but there she shipped water. Mr Pidwell thought that she was too heavy forward, and went .right aft himself, fastening the tiller line to his foot. He had hardly done so, when a heavy sea came over the starboard side, and then another struck her, and she immediately sunk, and on rising to the surface she turned bottom upwards. Mr Macdonnell urged upon all to stick to the boat, and all did so but" Mr Pidwell and Mr Kempthorne. They struck out for the shore, each having an oar. Those who remained by the boat saw Mr Kempthorne and Mr Pidwell for, as they thought, about 15 minutes, and then one of the oars was observed to go suddenly up, and the swimmers were lost to sight In the meantime, the four on the boat were in extreme danger. The boat turned over and over with them, the heavy seas washed over them and caused them to lose their hold, and it was with the utmost difficulty that they managed to regain it when lost. They were fast becoming exhausted when they were observed by Mr Winton, a resident on this side of the Bay. He summomed some fishermen to the aid of the men BtrugglUg in the water, aud they, with the help of some men engaged cutting a road, launched a big boat, and proceeded to the rescue. They arrived in time, and all the four were saved. In taking them ashore the crew kept a good look out, but nothing could be seen of Mr Pidwell or Mr Kempthorne. The rescued men were taken to Mr Winton's house, and there they received every attention and kindness. Refreshments and clothes were provided for them. While they were changing their clothes, an oar, with something clinging to it was observed, and the boat being again launched, the body of Mr Pidwell was recovered . Every attempt was made to restore life, but without avail. Mr Pidwell was a native of Cornwall, about 27 years of age, and had been about seven months in the colony. He was very much esteemed, as also was Mr Kempthorne, whose body has not yet been found.