CAPSIZE OF A MAIL BOAT.

Marlborough Daily Times, Volume II, Issue 178, 3 December 1880, Page 3

CAPSIZE OF A MAIL BOAT.

[From a Correspondent.] PicTox, December 2, 18S0. An accident happened to Phillips’ mail boat when returning from the Grove yesterday. After passing Mabel Island, the boat was caught by a squall and upset : although everything was let go, the force with which she was struck turned her bottom upwards, throwing the two men into the water, together with the mail-bags, two of which were lost. Phillips and his man, however, got on the boat, and held on until rescued by the captain of the steamship Hawea. Fortunately, the Hawea was going down the harbor at the time, and a boat was lowered and sent to the assistance of the men on the upset boat ; the boat was righted and bailed out, and having done all that was necessary the steamer's boat returned to the vessel, and was hoisted on board, when the captain steered away for Wellington, well pleased no doubt that he was able to rescue the men from their perilous position. The accident was seen from Pieton, and Mr. Charles Williams, with praiseworthy promptitude, mustered a crew and put oil' to the assistance of the men, but the steamer’s boat had already done everything that was needed. It was fortunate there were no passengers—a very unusual thing—and especially that there were no women or children, as in that ease there is every probability there would have been someone drowned. It is the the first accident that has happened to Mr. Phillips, although he has been carrying the mail to the drove for the last ten or twelve years, and there could not be a more careful man.