FATAL ACCIDENT IN HOBSON'S BAY.- FIVE PERSONS DROWNED.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 13, Issue 670, 5 April 1869, Page 4

FATAL ACCIDENT IN HOBSON'S BAY.FIVE PERSONS DROWNED.

(From the Age.) One of the most distressing accidents that have occurred in Melbourne for several years past took place on Saturday, February 20, and resulted in the loss ol" five lives. Between 6 and 7 o'clock in the morning, a party consisting of Mr E. N. Conradi, a stevedore, his two sons, aged 6 and 8 years, a man named Lancaster (who was in Coaradi's employ), and Mr C. E. Percy, a Church of England schoolmaster, left Williamstown in a large decked boat, the Clutha, and went dawn the Bay to fish. The wind blew all day from the north, and occasionally there were heavy gusts, which were somewhat dangerous to boats under sail. The excursionists passed the lightship, and went round to the fishing grouud at the south of Williamstown, about a mile from the Botanical Gardens. About 2 o'clock iu the afternoon they were in company with another fishing boat, belonging to a man named Elliott. Observing a squallcoming on, Elliott made for Williamstown, and passed within a short distance of Coaradi's boat, which was then under reefed mainsail, with her fore sheet to windward. According to accounts, this was the last time the unfortunate people were seen. Elliott had gone some distance, and expecting that the Clutha would follow him, he looked round, but could see nothing of her. Of course the greatest anxiety was felt at Williamstown on Saturday night, when it was known that they had not returned. The police were out during the night, and on Sunday morning a number of boats left WilliaHtftowtt i» swwh "of the wising craft,

About three o'clock in the afternoon a boat ji longing to the pilot service came upon the enj a gaff whiph was projecting a foot or so out ofj water, near the spot where Elliott last savrt) Clutha. Assistance was obtained from the oth boats, and the gaff was raised sufficiently high see the mainsail underneath. As it would beta less to attempt raising the wreck without the j aessary appliances, buoys were set near the sp,

and the boats returned to Williamstown with ft, intention of resuming work to-day, should the ther prove favorable. The Clutha was a strong boat of 10 tons burthen, carrying 3 tons, iron ballast, and both Mr Conradi and his me, were expert boatmen. It is supposed that she % suddenly struck with a squall, and filled before sl» had time to right, the great weight in her botton drawing her down. Messrs Conradi and Pert were both highly respected and well known > Williamstown where they had lived many They and the man (Lancaster) were all marriej and leave widows and families of young children tt mourn their fate. Last evening the flags wet, half-masted, and a general gloom seemed to pervaii the whole town. Mr Percy leaves a wife and aij children: Mr Conradi, a wife and three children Robert Lancaster, a wife; but fortunately no chil dren. It appears that Mr Percy's eldest son wai to have accompanied them, but when passing tin Ann-street pier his hat blew off, and his fathei fearing that he might catch cold if allowed to weat a wet hat all day, insisted on his being landed.