GRAPHIC STORY

Hokitika Guardian, 30 December 1932, Page 4

GRAPHIC STORY

OF TRAGEDY AT NAPIER. SURVIVORS GIVE DETAILS. , I er tress Association— Copyright ) .NAPIER December 29. Some survivors this ''morning gave vivid, harrowing accounts of the scene as the launch Doris floated, keel uppermost, with a dozen men clinging to her hull and others clinging to her sides.

The Tu Atu was right on top of us when I first saw her,” said Mr A. WitherLigton. “The Doris shot over to port and forward, screwing like a bullet, mikl her capsize was aided by Inanying the men in The stern rushing lo tie port side, their weight helping to throw her over. I was sitting on the port side, and 1 was flung five or ten yards out into the water. Other men were flung one on top of another. When the confusion calmed down a little, many made for the Doris, and clung to her hull. Some were injured. I made for the shore, and after swimming for about 150 yards, I reached the light end of the Fastern Pier.”

Some of the men, according to Mr Witheringtcn, were more handicapped than others by the weight of their clothes. Thirteen of them, he said, had been working wool on the Port Hunter, but fifteen others who had been in the freepei's on the Port Brisbane, were wearing move clothing, Most of them had op two pair of trousers as well a@ two garments over tlio upper part of their bodies (either shirts or woollen jumpers), as well ai top-coats. - Terrible gurgling and choking noises heard coming from the men as they became unable to continue their struggle for life met the ears of W, Wilmot, as he attempted to reach the shore, when lie reached the surface, after being thrown into the sea. Wilmot noticed several men making frantic efforts, to keep afloat by clutching at the overturned launch. The weight of the men clambering into her caused her to sink. Two men caught hold of Wilmot, and they dragged him down again, but he managed to fight hi* way clear and he . started ’ his struggle towards the shore, which he gained after a long and trying battle. . On coming to the surface after the launch had overturned R. Pratt commenced to swim for the pier out he changed his mind and returned tothe launch to which eleven men were desperately clinging. ‘‘On the way back,” said Pratt this morning, “I saw another man struggling in the water, and I grabbed him by the collar of his coat to try and help him to keep afloat, but his coat came off in nty hand. I did not see him a"*un.” . Typical of the experiences of the men who managed to swim to- shore was the struggle of R. Jones, who, when the launch overturned was thrown clear. “T started to tread water for a while,” he said; ■ “but . decided I would have a go at getting to the shore which I judged was about 150 yards away. I seemed .tQ be swimming for hours and I was just about ready to give up when I noticed the i foul ta s te of the water. I knew then that I Was near where a sewer discharges into the sea, and that gave me new hope. I managed to reach the rocks, and I fell flat out, If there had been another ten yards to go, I couldn’t have done it.” Jugt after he reached land, Jones turned and noticed another man, who had been swimming' some distance behind him, throw up his hand and disappear when within 20 yards of the shore, Jones, however, was too exhausted to go to his assistance.

NINE BODIES RECOVERED*

HASTINGS, December 29. Nine bodies had been recovered up to nightfall today during the search which had been carried out as the result of the collision between the launch Doris, loaded with watersiders, tand the coastal vessel Tu Atu. Three more bodies, those of Applin, Johnston and Andrews, have recovered. There remain three now missing. The average opinion among the survivors seems to be that both of the vessels involved in the collision, were running with their, regulation lights burning, but the question of visibility appears to be in doubt. Opinions differ as to whether the night was clear or vision was obscured by a light banket of misty rain. This will, of course, be determined at the complete marine inquiry hvhich probably will be held early in the New Year. It seems evident from the stories told by those from the Doris who escaped, that none either on the launch or the Tu Atu had any idea of the nearness of the boats. Within a split second , they were flung from safety into danger without any warning. it happened so quickly that ( it may be doubtful whether (anyone cbuld give a really clear account 0 f what actually happened. One survivor stated that when the impact was felt, the men naturally made away from the side where the collision occurred, and this circumstance, combined with the glancing blow from the Tu Atu, resulted in tho launch being turned right over. It seemed e'ear to him, after he had viewed the Doris this morning, and. rinding it undamaged and watertight, that the h'- n struck by the Tu Atu was a glancing on, and was just sufficient to tip it ever.

Regarding two pames telegraphed, there are correcti "is. Johnston should be Johnson, and Lowe should be Low*