BOAT CAPSIZES

Hokitika Guardian, 30 May 1933, Page 2

BOAT CAPSIZES

MAN DROWNED IN HARBOUR. SURVIVOR’S SEVERE ORDEAL. {Pe Press Association— Copyright.) AUCKLAND, May 20. As the result of the overturning of a small boat between Northeote and Bayswater, shortly before noon, Edward . Hawkins, aged 20, /of Birkenhead, was adrift in the harbour clinging to the capsized craft. A companion, Jack Anderson, aged 25, of Birkenhead, managed to swim ashore at Bays water, reaching land in an exhausted condition at about 3.30. The accident was reported to the police shortly .after, but in spite of a search on the foreshore, no trace either of Hawkins, or the overturned boat was found.

After, the overturning of the boat Andetson swam in the vicinity for some time, hoping that they might be picked up. His companion could not swim.

Finally Anderson struck out foj the shore, but exhaustion and cramp brought about by the intense cold water, forced him to clamber on board a hulk off Bayswater. There lie collapsed, and lie did not regain consciousness for nearly three hours. Just before reaching the hulk, he saw the overturned boat, with Hawkins still clinging to it, drifting about twenty yards off the end of Bayswater wharf. When ho regained consciousness, Anderson re-entered the water and swam to Bayswater, 111 an exhausted condition, lie staggered into a shop. The shopkeeper Immediately informed) the police. Constables arrived at Bayswater by a launch, but it was too dark for a search to be carried out.

Two constables made a search of tlic Dovonport-, Stanley Bay and Bayswater foreshore, but returned to Devonport about ten o’clock without having found any trace of Hawking or the boat.