BOATING DISASTER.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 2331, 20 September 1921, Page 2

BOATING DISASTER.

FOUR MEN DROWNED.

IN NEW PLYMOUTH PORT,

New Plymouth, Sept. 18.

A boating disaster involving the death of four men oceuri’ed at the port here this afternoon. A small open boat, rigged with sail, was coming to the wharf from the American steamer Easterner, which was in the stream. A rough sea was running at the time. Shortly after leaving the steamer, the small boat found the sea too rough, and an attempt was made to put back. The rudder washed away, however, and the return was impossible. The boat turned on her broadside and overturned. Of the five men aboard, four are missing.

There is no hope for the missing, who are. —T. A. Butler, of the Vacuum Oil Co., who joined the ship at Napier, and is married; J. Piper, working foreman, Upper Hutt, Wellington, married, with five children; W. D. Lindsay, super-cargo, single; and Landers, third engineer. Deskin, the third officer, was saved. He made heroic attempts to save the others, especially Butler. . Lindsay’s and Landers’ bodies was saved. He made 0

have been found. For nearly half-an-hour the onlookers could see the struggle, but were powerless to render any help, nor could any boat hope to live in ihe breakers.

Every preparation was made to succour survivors who might reach the shore. Three doctors and a nurse were quickly on the spot, but all efforts ’to resuscitate Lindsay were fniitless.

An inquest on the victims was opened by Mr Bundle, S.M. Captain O’Brien, master of the Easterner, said he refused to put Butler and Piper ashore on Saturday on account of the rough seas, but at 1.30 p.m. on Sunday the ship was in comparatively smooth water, and he therefore ordered the boat out, with Deskin, a most competent man, in charge. He anticipated no danger in landing. The boat was thoroughly equipped with lifebelts, and Captain Smith, the pilot on board, when asked, agreed that it was quite safe, lie thought a safe landing had been made on the beach, until the Har-bour-master sent a message at fi o’clock of the accident. Otherwise he would have sent away another boat to assist.

The inquiry was adjourned till Thursday afternoon.