NELSON. [From the Nelton Examiner, October 26.]

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 548, 2 November 1850, Page 2

NELSON. [From the Nelton Examiner, October 26.]

Accident at Sea. — The Katherihe Johnstone, which arrived here on Wednesday, brought intelligence of a sad accident which occurred on board early on Saturday morning last. The cutter had sailed from Taranaki on Friday evening bound to Wellington, the master, Mr. J. D. Murphy, having come on board about sunset. About midnight, the man in charge, named Armstrong, aroused Murphy to assist in shortening sail, and on this being done, the master himself took the helm, and directed Armstrong, and a pasienger who came on deck to assist (there were two passengers on board), to go below. About three o'clock in the morning, or as near that time as could be judged, for there were no means on board of ascertaining the hour, Armstrong and the passengers were

awoke by Murphy crying oat for assistance, and on rushing to the deck they found that the boom of the cuiter had jibed, ai.d that the master was overboard, for his voice was heard once or twice in the wake of the vessel. The vessel was rounded as quickly as possible and laid-to until daylight, but no trace of Murphy was seen. There was a very heavy sea running at the time, and had it been possible to have launched the dingy quickly, she could not have lived in it. Armstrong then endeavoured to reach Wellington, and got to the heads, but being met by a strong southeaster, he found it necessary to run for this port. The unfortunate deceased has left a wife and a large family.