THE FATAL BOAT ACCIDENT IN CANTERBURY.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4320, 25 January 1875, Page 3

THE FATAL BOAT ACCIDENT IN CANTERBURY.

(From the Lijttdton Times, Jan. 21). Yesterday afternoon a sad accident, resulting in the loss of three lives, occurred on the Sumner bar. A party cons : sting of Messrs. Joseph Day and Alfred Day, old residents at Sumner; George Terry, storekeeper at Sumner; Charles Morton, sou of Mr. J. W. Morton, hotel-keeper, Sumner ; Hector Vaughan and Atkinson, who were residing at one of the local hotels, had been fishing outside the bar, and were returning when the accident occurred. It would seem th.it while on the top of a wave the rudder became temporarily useless and the boat swung round almost broadside on, when a heavy roller struck and c.ipsized her. Terry, though considered the best swimmer in the party, went down without a word, but the others managed to scramble on to the keel of the boat. Alfred Day struck out for the shore as soon as he had taken his bearings, and Joseph Day and Morton having first taken the precaution to undress, followed in his wake. Vaughan .and Atkinson remained on the boat, and one of them sang out as the others were leaving, "For God's sake do not leave us here." Owing to the heavy rollers and ebb tide the position of the boat was, however, too dangerous a one to occupy long, and as the accident occurred three quarters of a mile from shore, it was evident that each one had enough to do to save himself. The three swimmers succeeded after hard work in reaching shore in safety, though it is very doubtful indeed whether Morton, who is not quite fourteen years of age, would have done so if Joseph Day had not occasionally supported him. Morton showed remarkable presence of mind and courage for one so young ; but it was a near touch with him once while in the rollers, and he was compelled to call on Joseph Day, who praiseworthily kept by his side all the way, for assistance. Nothing was heard or seen of Vaughan and Atkinson after the three swimmers started for shore, and it is presumed that they were washed off the boat by the breakers on the bar, and drowned. During the evening the boat was recovered, but up to a late hour nothi g had been seen of the bodies of the unfortunate men. Singular to relate, a dog that was in the boat when it capsized was found to be alive in the boat when it was recovered. Terry, who was a married man, leaves a wife and one child. Vaughan was a pattern maker, and had been working for Mr. John Anderson, Christchurch, but, feeling unwell, had obtained a week's holiday, which he was spending at Sumner. He was also married, but had no children.