SURF DISASTER.

Hokitika Guardian, 9 February 1922, Page 1

SURF DISASTER.

SIX LIVES LOST AT GREYMOUTH. SAD END TO REEFTON PICNIC. I SEVERAL HEROIC RESCUES, t ___ (Grey ( Argus.) _ , , < yvhen at an early lipjyir jrcsjberday a train-load of people, filling three carriages and 14 wagons, left Reefton. their high - ,, spirits were unclouded by any apprehensions that Fate’s inscrutable decree had destined the day to close for them with a terrible tragedy. The picnickers Avlio were favoured with ideal weather, arriving here aliout 10 o’clock tended their way in Hundreds to £ke sea-beach, their customary rendezvous in former years), and very soon there were about a thousand peo- ! pie desporting themselves on the glistening sands, many making ready tu enjoy the unusual pleasure of a dip in the briny. Soon a large number i were to be seen in the sea, abdufc a j hundred or nearly so, and all went well I for a few, hours. However, there seems f to have been nobody at hand to warn j the visitors qf the dangerous whirls and, i back currents that come and go sud- : denly at times in the vicinity of the j rocks to the tip-head. Indeed it seems i uncertain, even after hearing the varij ous narratives of all concerned (as j related below) to determine just when f the first element of danger did enter j into the situation. Two young Grey- ! mouth men about 1.30 heard a boy J named Brant (from Ikamatua) c ry f°r i help, but at first thought he was jpk- | ing. It seems that there is a hole in ! the beach, 50 yards from the rocks, ! which, combined with the rocks tliem- ■ selves, causes a veritable whirl, with ; the current straight to sea near the i rocks. It is indeed possible at times ! to make almost a circuit in this c<ir- ] rent. Although lyoth Grant and another boy Avere got out, there came meari- , time quife a chorus of cries from men, | girls and youths Avho had been caught | in the seaward current; and though not i in places out of their depths, none of j them was able to make any headway j toAvards the shore, and they were inI deed all carried gradually out further, j til! they were in a line with the Tip ! Head. One man actually tried to swim | round the tip into the river, and Avas! quickly drowned. At one time 14 were in difficulties in the water, Avhile four more lay on the beach exhausted they having just been able to get ashore out of the current There were no lifesaving appliances whatever on the beach the life-line apparatus having been stolen some time ago, when the pavilion was greatly damaged. Hence, apart from swimmers Avho risked their oAvn : lives in entering the treacherous curi rent, the only hope was to secure boats. Half-a-mile out a fishing boat was anchored, but, Ijko othei- 'boaits that came later, it dare not come into the breakers. One of three men who went into the breakers in a rowing boat was dioAvned, and another just saved himself, while the third helped the Signalman, Reeves to rescue one of the Miss Rivers, of Reefton, both of whom had early attracted the attention of rescuers. Reeves, using a board, did heroic work, as indeed, many others also, though with a lesser degree of effectiveness. The Avhole tragedy, which occupied less than an hour in its enactment was not realised fully

afterwards when it was ascertained that the grim ocean had taken toll of six lives, five Reefton visitors, and one Grey'niouth man, all of whose H 7 were washed away to sea and nothing more was seen of them. The details given below in the narratives of various people, who attempted rescue work, outline one of the worst drowning disasters the West Coast has seen for /uanv a day.

THE FIRST ALARM. CRIES FOR ASSISTANCE. From information that can be gathered from eye witnesses of tlie tragedy it appears that yesterday about 1 p.m. I he picnickers were enjoying themselves in various ways on the beach, many indulging in surf bathing, when cries fur assistance were heard from a lad named Grant (aged 11 from Ikamatua) "'ho had unconsciously drifted into the treacherous area of undercurrent and had been swept out of his depth.

TKEACHEEOUS CURRENTS

His cries were responded to by several men on the .shore, who, on entering the water, found the current so strong that as soon as they were immersed to their waists they were absolutely at the mercy of the sea. Never before libs the baekeurrent been known

to be so erratic and so treacherous iis ;t was yesterday in the vicinity of the Fonth Tip. Several other bathers at this particular moment were also noticed to be in difficulties, having been washed into the dangerous portion of •he surf, by the strong downward current.

Messrs Beale and Siam, who worn among the first of tlie rescuers, had a Mrentious battle with the current and lad "rent difficulty in finally reaching sliore. From the time they left the shore to the time they got hack to safety over half an hour elapsed. Mr jveale was fortunate in striking a cross current after a lengthy struggle with the waves. At one stage things became s.) hard that he was contemplating going out to sea and taking a chance of drifting around the tip, but this would probably have meant disaster as some of the missing nfen met their fate in ! { this way.

THE EXCITEMENT. •r Eyewitnesses of the tragedy state I lent immediately after the alarm of ; danger was given excitement prevailed I and many rushes were made by woukl- ' he resellers, many ofl whom were unable i to swim. At one period about 16 perj sens were-in the wafer at'once—some •| rescuing, arid many struggling for their | safety against the hea)vv current. | TWO GIRLS IN PLIGHT. ' Several men and twc| girls (Misses

Deris and Ethel Rivers, of Reefton), were Avashed out over their depth, and their shouts for help Avere intermifigled Avitli those of the boy Grant. Wouldbe rescuers rushed to the spot, and a number of these found the current too strong, for them, and they had difficulty in looking after their own safety. ' MEN RUSH IN. Messrs M. Skon, an officer of the Ngaliere, Dago, and M. Beale (of Greymouth) rushed into the Avater, in order to attempt to rescue some of those who Avere in difficulties. Mr Skon rescued one boy and passed him on to Mr Beale Avho, in turn conveyed hint to safety. Mr Skon proceeded further out .arid made an attempt to rescue another man. After bringing him in a part id' the Avay the man gripped him by the throat rind compelled him to let go. He Avas, lioAACA'er, close enough to the ■More to scramble to safety. THE BOAT ARRIVES. At this juncture a boat from the Joan Craig manned by four men (Messrs A. Hutchings, H. Caugldey, A. H. Rawlins, and W. G. Archibald) appear'd around the south tip, and lieadfor the beach. When about ton ■aids from the furthest man out'it was caught by an exceptional heavy waA’e and capsized, throwing the occupants j into the water. Messrs Cawley and Hutchings struck mil for the shore, | whilst ItaAvlimf hung to the boat, and i \vchibakl made lor the elder Miss Riv- j .rs (Doris) who \vs*s struggling in the ■ water in this vicinity. j A'TR HUTCHINGS DISAPPEARS. \ Mr R Onirin. of Grevmoutii, enter- j ' d* t:!ie surf arid swam to the boat and hi ana god to eventually propel Rawlins, to the shore, but Hutchings was not j so fbrruriiite. After making an a r - ; tempi to reach shore arid finding the ; sea fob rinicfi for him he turned , round intendirig to relum to the boat . anil cling on unfil held cariie. He was seen disappear in the vicinity of the boat arid was riot seen again. A pLucky act. ■

Meanwhile, Sfr Reeves, signalman, in charge of the flag station at the south tip, plunged into the water from the extreme end of the tip with a »n« board, in an attempt to reach the elder Miss Riveri. Both Archibald and Reeves reached the young lady at the siime moment Wild managed to place her oh the board. She was by this time in a vriry exhausted condition arid could not have held out much longer. Together the riien propelled the hoard in and succeeding in reaching a launch in charge of Mr Negri Avhich at this moment showed up abound the tip. MR NEGRI’S APPEARANCE. Mr Negri apparently received his first intimation of a mishap when he was laying a fishing net in the Gobden Lagoon, and immediately/ steered for the spot, arrmng as aforestated. When Miss Doris R ivers Avsa- taken ashore she Avas very exhausted, but the application of artificial respiration reviA'Pd her sufficiently to relieve those present of anxiety as to her safety. Miss Ethel Rivers in the meantime had been rendered assistance by AviUing helpers from the shore and Avas conveyed to safety, also in a rather exhausted condition.

f Severn! other men on the beach made 3 desperate attempts to resche those in 3 difficulties, and several were dragged f out in the various stages of exhaustion. > SIX PET?SONS DISAPPEAR. , 1 When the excitement had abate/! somewhat, it was found that no less ! than six persons were missing viz: ! Messrs L. O’Donnell (Cronadun), R. ! Duffv, G. Wilson, F. Hart, H. Evans (all of Reefton), A. Hutchings (Greymouth. ' THE AFTER- EFFECTS For an hour alter the accident, the beach was lined with groups of people administering artificial respiration to the many rescuers who found the surf very dangerous indeed. .Messrs Banks (Hcefton),Skon, Da-go, Smith, Beale, Quinn, Magee (Greymouth) all suffered severely as a result of their ordeal and in several cases complete restoration was difficult for a considerable time. Wild hopes were entertained by many that the missing men had escaped and had been able to drift with the current around the tip and thus reach safety. As time went on, however, and no word was received, the worst was feared, and up to last nothing was heard of the missing men. Later in the afternoon a false alarm was given that one of the victims was being washed ashore but on entering the water it was lound that the (.ause 'of the alarm was nothing but a piece of wood that was drifting about on the j waves. , THE MISSES RIVERS. ] .After the accident the two Misses | Rivers were conveyed to the residence j of Mr Clark of Blake town where they ( were carefully attended to. Oh enquiry i last evening we learned that although in a very exhausted condition the girls were progressing well, and littlq anxi- i ety was felt regarding their safety. .THE PARTY IN THE BOAT. ( Interviewed last evening, one man who was in the boat which rounded • the tip in an attempt to rescue those | in difficulties stated that ag-, soon, as he . received word of the accident he, to ( gether with three others, viz., Messrs .A. Hutchings, ,H. C'auley, and A. K. j Rawlins (second officer of the Ramona) . who were aboard the Perth, took a boat belonging to the Joipi Craig and proceeded to the scene, hoping to he of assistance. As soon as the boat rounded the south tip, those in the v boat could see that the task they had r imposed upon themselves was to he a c hazardous one and one in which was r involved a great deni of Bisk. It v could be seen from the nature of the :i current that the boat would never be 1 able to reach the surf safely and then s return; but it was hoped that they t could get near enough to do some good, t The first person to be seen was one qf h the Mi&ses Ravers, although only a n head could be distinguished in the si water. The only possible thing for the ti occupantß of the f>Qat to do was to try C and ride the waves aB tax as posmbfe, b

but they were only successful in breasting the craft to the swell, when it capsized, throwing the occupants into the breakers. They Avere about 20 to 30 yards away from the girl at the time In the meantime the signalman (Mr Reeves) put out from the end of the tip with a surf board and at great risk to himself, SAvam the waves, eventually reaching the young lady, avlio Ava.s| by this .time beginning to become exhausted. Mr Archibald left the party in the water and gave assistance to Mr Reeves and together they placed Miss Rivers upon the board and propelled her to Negri’s boat. The unfortunate girl Avas by this time in a halfdroAvning state, but Avith the rendition of ai little artificial .respirixtion she recovered and was able to speak

those present. While this Avas being carried du£, ihe party from the boat, was having a strenuous time in the water, Mr Hutchings Avas seen to be in difficulties and when told to go back to the boat, he attempted to do do, but apparently was not able to reach it, for he Avas seen to submerge and did not reappear. The other two occupants of the boa’t managed with difficulty to reach the shore. Mr Archibald stresses the fact that the memt bers of the party fully realised the risk they ran in attempting to effect a rescue and knew that the chances Avere very heavily against them reaching the surf.. Without the timely assistance of Mr JSfegi’b s a kl Mr Archibald, the girt Avould surely have been lost ms be could not have reached her in time. Mr Archibald said he c ould not have supported Miss Rivers to the launch, and it .was Mr Negri’s boat the'

t | probably responsible in the end for her safety. , , e | MR SKON’S VERSION, d i The version of the tragedy given by t j Messrs M. Skon and W. Beale was as s fnlloAvs, both of these men having Sail e active part in the rescue work: — , The whole trouble originated by a boy from Waiuta. named Grant getting n ino difficulties. There Avas another man k near him at the time, he also being 0 swept into the current, which was exf j ceptiqnally strong at this particiilar r | portion of the beach. The first intimnI j tion they had of trie accident was cries B i of heln coming from the surf. Mr r j Skon immediately went out. but by this e ' time several others had drifted into I trie treacherous area., arid had been ‘ j swept out of their depth. He grasped 1 j and had him nearly to shore when trie 3 i man grinned hirn by trie throat and he had to let go. He* Avas near enough to trie shore- however, to he out of danger. * He (Mr Skon) again went into the surf ? and dragged out three) others who re--1 quired • assistance., Altogether, lie Avas r . in trie water for oA-er half an hour, and 1 was by tbis time nearly exhausted and ? j just managed to regain the beach with • difficulty. When the boat capsized sor- * ernl rushed ’into the Avater to effect rescues. Mr Quinn brought one man in from this party. It Avas impossible 1 for the lio.it to ride the, swell that Avas ’ running at the time. The current Arcs ’ exceptionally strong find a man immersed to his Avaist would bo powerless to 'do anything in it. Mr Skon ventured the opinion that if a life-line had been available at the beach at the time of the accident no casualties would have been the result, and the services of the boat Avould ha ve been rendered unnecessary. H. CAWLEY’S NARRATIVE. Interviewed by an, “Argus” reporter Mr H. Cawley, stated Hutchings and he were working on the Perth Avreek when they heard the cries for help. They came back into the river and picked up the mate of the “Joan Craig.”! TJie mate of the Kaniona Avas already on board. They rOAved as fast as they could around the south breakAvater. On approaching the place Avhere t). people were stmggling in the Avater, the officer from the Joan Craig asked whe- i ther they could all swim. After heceiving an ans Aver in the affirmative, . he divested himself of his clothing, Mr Cawley also getting rid of m°st of his 1 Avearing apparel. As they approached the breakers the boat rose on the crest 1 of one wave, and then plunged nose ; foremost. The following wave com- 1 pletely sAvamped her, throwing them 1 all into the water Immediately Hut- 1 cliings and lie started to swim toAvards c fhe launch “Leonard.” Finding that j * he could make no headAvay in that di- j s rection, Mr CaAvley turned and made | v for the south breakwater, finally ef- ; v fecting a landing on the south side of this, opposite the signalman’s station. v Mr Cawley was not too sure about j 1 landing on the rocks and swam to- j I Avai'ds them Avitli trepidation. When he (

readied the rocks, the first wave carried him well up, and he gripped a huge boulder; but the receding water parried him away again. The tnes|t wave however, drove him right on to the rocks and wedged him between two great stones. He pulled himself loose, without injury, save for slight scratch on his arm. The last he saw of Hutchings was when the latter was swimming towards the launch. Hntch ings was a strong swimmer, but it is known that he took cramp quickly. It is surmised that he was seized with cramp and sank. A possible reason why the boat was swamped so quickly is that she carried two heavy bits of iron which were taken from the Perth. DTSASTETt AS SEEN FPOM THE LAUNCH. Messrs G. Hill and L. Curtis, who were in charge of tlie launch “Leonard” were seen by our reporter last evening. Mr Hill states he had several childrep on hoard when the alarm was raised. Tfe immediately put them ashore and two constables got into the boat, ifrey quickly ran around the south tip, but could not gbt close to those in difficulty. Tb'eSy however, throw out two lifebuoys and six lifebelt's attached to long lines. Unfortunately the buoys or belts were not seen; afthough there.was rope enough ;o aflos' thehi *&> fipat right to shore. • Questioned as to why they did not j jring the launch closer, Mr Sill stated

j that if they oame anj) closer they would j have suffered the fate of Mr Hutchings’ i boat. The only tiling that could be • done was to let go an anchor, reverse I the engine, and come in stem on. I Then it was known that the anchor j they had out was not too safe find it was decided not to risk it. MR J. HUNT’S ACCOUNT. Mr J. Hunt, who c a me from Reefton with the picnickers, said he came out of the water after a swim, when a man named Cornish called his attention to young Evans who was struggling in the i water. He saw that there were several others also in danger, and a general rush was made to their assistance. As he went out, Duffy was on his right and Wilson on liis left. J. Banks was behind him. He thought he heard a call from Banks. Duffy and Wilson seemed very fresh and were swimming strongly. He noticed Evans in trouble and swim towards him. Evans tried to tell him something; but he collapsed and sank before he could reach him. He then swam towards Banks who had called out. The water was very rough and he did not seem to he advancing any. He floated a little on his back and the waves brought him close jn. He finally reached Banks and assisted him to the shore. ANOTHER NARRATIVE. Mr Joseph Magee, of the “Argute” j staff, along with Mr Lake, was among those who attempted a rescue. They thought a hoy was joking when he cried for help at 1.35, nearly opposite the Pavilion. Magee pulled one of the Miss Rivers and another (a man)) up towards the beach, but the current moved them back again, and he lost a grip of their hands. They were then only 30 yards out. Lake went out further but got into difficulties himself, as also did Magee when he followed. They “shipped” salt water in plenty, and saw the shore getting more distant. Finally they had the sense to make for the south, parallel with the beach and thus got in after a quarter of an hour’s tussle. Magee states he doutebd if he’d get back for a time, He expressed opinion that a stranger who did not know of the neted to go south for safety would not have any chance in the current unless a very nowerful swimmer.

THE MISSING The names of the missing men ar e as follows: Leslie O’Donnell, aged 22, single of Cronadun. Robert Duffy, aged 30, single, of Reefton. George Wilson, aged 18, of Reefton. Arthur Hutchings, aged 40, of Greymouth, single. Harry F.vans, midde-aged of Reefton married, leaving a wife and family of 6 children. F. Hart, aged 20, of the Railway Department, Reefton, single. NOTE'S ON THE VICTIMS. Robert Duffy, one of the victims, is the son of Mrs Robert Duffy, a very old and respected resident of Reefton. One of his brothers was killed in the war.. The deceased was engaged recently working at contracting, and he was a most popular young man, whose sudden demise will be deeply regretted. Les O’Donnell is a son of Mrs Timothy O’Donnell, a well-known farmer of Ciohadun, arid thought only 22i years old, was a well-known footballer, playing three-quarter for the club at Oronadnln, and also for Buffer reps. His death will be a great blow to his parents, who will have deep sympathy in their loss. George "Wilson, is a .son of Mr George Wilson, the well-known Reefton cordialmanufacturer, and was a schoolboy, who was a good swimmer, and lost his life going to help others.

Henry Evans, probably the most distressing fatality. He leaves a wife and' family of six children, who were down yesterday with him. Mr Evans was formerly a resident of this district, having been employed by Drake and Muir, carpenters, fo r some years, and later at I the State Mine. He was one of the ! most esteemed members of the Greymouth Labour Party. He often officiated as a Labour scrutineer at elections, and was highly esteeined by all who knew him. He was one of the most enthusiastic labourites, and his many comrades on the Coast in the movement will deeply regret his sad end, and will sincerely sympathise with his bereaved wife and family. The “Argiis” has willingly opened a relief fund in aid of Mrs Evans and family, who yesterday were among the witnesse of the disaster. Mr Evans was employed as a carpenter at Reefton. Frank Hart, was a Westport boy, about 20 years of age, and had been on the clerical staff of the Railway Department at Reefton as a cadet. Arthur Hutc'hings ? the only Greymouth resident to Jose his life in the disaster, was well-known and' highly respected here. He, was a waterside worker, and had followed that occupation here for a number of years. He leaves a number of relatives in the district who will have the deep sympathy of the community in their loss.

I POLICE ACT. J The police immediately took the mat- ! ter up and systematically patrolled the . beach all night, but without result. : The search will be continued by a I mounted force along the, beach as far j as the lOmile beach to-day and if no ' success rewards their efforts, they will be extended to Barrytown to-morrow. NO TRACE OF BODIES. GREYMOUTH, Feb. ,9. | The polipe arid others patrolled the j beach all night, and to-day, but, there 1 is no trace ,t% fltyisspflg bodies.