INCIDENTS OF THE LATE FLOODS IN THE HUNTER.

Grey River Argus, Volume IX, Issue 666, 26 April 1870, Page 4

INCIDENTS OF THE LATE FLOODS IN THE HUNTER.

The "Newcastle Pilot" of 26th March gives the following account of the drowning of two persons during the flood : — Mr M'Lauchlin, with J. T. Tegg, John Mason (a man in M'Lauchlin's employ), and William Miles and William Graham, farmers, were returning at dusk on Monday evening from East Maitland, after they had been out all day, and had got to the back of Mr Saunders' garden, on the Loufch Park Road, where the water was very deep, and a strong current was running. There was also a very heavy season, as the wind could act upon a wide expanse of water, unbroken by intervening land. There is also a network of fence at the rear of the garden, and it required some discretion to steer clear of them, and to avoid getting dangerously entangled. At this point of the voyage deceased wished to.be relieved at the oar, and Tegg took his place, Miles going to the rudder. During the exchange of places the boat broached too, and drifted rapidly to leeward with the heavy wind blowing, coming upon a fence. The crew tried to fend her off, but ahe was staved in, became unmanageable, and swamped. The waves broke over the boat, and threatened to wash the crew out, and Tegg and Graham then took off some of their clothes and their boots, and endeavoured to make to a refuge. They were able to walk for some little distance, but with difficulty, and ultimately had to swim. Tegg endeavoured to reach a barn, and found his Btrength giving way, and so he swam down the stream to a willow tree, where he clung, and called to Graham, who presently joined him; and soon after Maßon also came. Neither Graham nor Tegg saw M'Lauchlin after they left the boat, but Mason says he brought his master along for some distance, but at last had to let him go; indeed he says M'Lauchlin wished him to save himself, and cried "Let me go." Miles, who cannot swim, stood by the fence in deep water, and; remained there till he was taken off, and he says that deceased admitted his inability to swim, and said he would go with the rest, and that accordingly he went. He (deceased) had on a

pair of tight boots, and probably they encumbered his efforts to walk or swim in the water. The men on the tree called to Miles, but his replies could not be heard abovo the roaring of the wind, and they cooeyed for assistance, which reached them after a lapse of three hours by means of boats from the town. Atkinson, a young lad residing near, becoming aware of the position of the unfortunate men, bravely started through the wrter on a barebacked horse to bring intelligence to town, and returned by the same means, although the journey was an unpleasant and even a dangerous one. When the news arrived, boats were dispatched without delay to tho rescue, and after exposure of three hours the wrecked men were brought home. Nothing could then be done in the way of search for Mr M'Lauchlin ; but early in the morning several crews were made up to undertake the duty, and about noon the man's remains were found near where Mason must have let him go, his hands extended in front of his body in the attitude of grasping. The boat in which deceased and his crew had been, remained upon the fence, it having been stove by a post which came through ita bottom. Some of the boots and clothing thrown off by the crew before they took to the water were found floating on Tuesday morning, as well as the paddles of the boat. None of the other men seem to have suffered any serious injury. Mr Tegg had a tooth knocked out, and has a cut over the left eye ; there was also a scratch on the face of deceased near the eye. All the crew were quite sober. Dr. Liddell held a magisterial inquiry upon the body of Mr M'Lauchlin on Tuesday, when particulars recorded above were given, and the finding was : — That there is no blame , attached to any party, and that deceased I wa3 accidentally drowned. The remains of Mr M'Lauchlin were conveyed to their last resting-place yesterday afternoon. The hearse wos followed by a large concourse of people, and the friendly societies walked in procession as far as was possible, for the water at East Maitland prevented | their going the whole way.