DROWNING OF CAPTAIN T. B. TAYLOR, OF WANGANUI.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 18, Issue 1093, 12 August 1871, Page 2

DROWNING OF CAPTAIN T. B. TAYLOR, OF WANGANUI.

Ltkom the "taranaki herald," august 2.] Intelligence was brought by the last mail from Wauganui, on Monday evening last, of a rumor circulated there" to the effect that Captain T. B. Taylor of the firm of Messrs Taylor and Watt, had been swept off the deck of the brig Lady Denison. Since then, the vessel has put into this port for provisions previous to her leaving for Sydney, and from Captain John Fernie we have obtained full particulars of the lamentable, accident. It appears that the Lady Denison left Wanganui for Sydney on Saturday, the 15th July. During that night and on Sunday morning, the weather was very dirty, the wind being about west. Being well down towards Queen Charlotte's Sound, the captaiu thought (as the glass was very low) that it would be advisable to make for and to anchor there until the storm abated. The vessel had previously been under close-reefed topsails, but now the foresail, trysail, and maintopmast staysail were set. It seems the late Captain Taylor suggested that the jib should also be set. Capt Fernie says he did not like the look of the weather much, but as the wind was lulling at the time, he set it. In about an hour afterwards the wind freshened, and the captain told Captain Taylor he was doubtful of the jib-boom standing; but as the owner seemed anxious to get snug at anchor and considered it was only a slight squall, the sail was not taken in. At 9 a.m., however, the breeze freshened, when it was considered advisable to take in the main topmast staysail, and they would also have taken in the jib, but for the jib-boom being suddenly carried away. All hands immediately went to work to get the jib in. Captain Taylor went to assist the men and leant over the topgallant rail, with his breast on that part of the sail which had been got on board. The vessel was pitching and plunging fearfully, whilst this.was being done, and the sail was blown from their hands as fast as they got it in. In one of these plunges, the part of the sail Captain Taylor had under him, was carried away, and he, poor man, thrown overboard. Captain Fernie says he was beside him but* a minute or two before, but he had gone to the fore part of the fore rigging and was there when he heard some one cry out. By some chance he happened to look over the side at the same time, and to his horror he saw a man's leg above the water. He immediately ran aft to the stern, and threw the lifebuoy overboard. The vessel was immediately put on the other tack; but Captain Taylor having on a .great coat and there being a heavy sea to contend against, he could not keep long above the water, and in less than three minutes had disappeared. We believe he was seen once but then only for about a minute. Captain Taylor was much respected, and well-known to many in this town. His untimely death has cast a deep gloom over the settlement where he and his family have resided for years, as he was much esteemed.