THE LATE ACCIDENT IN THE HARBOR.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5033, 11 May 1877, Page 3

THE LATE ACCIDENT IN THE HARBOR.

An inquest was held at the Morgue yesterday at two o’clock, before Dr. Johnston, and a jury, on the body of the man known as Austrian Jack, who was drowned in the harbor on Wednesday.

Tiie following jury was sworn in :—Herbert J. Williams (foreman), Charles Platt, Henry Aslitt, J. Forbes, Joseph Williams, Wm. Firth, Jas. Sanders, G. R. Farley, J. G. Dudgeon, Joseph Cloves, Jas, Green, Jas. Chater, and John Burgees. The Coroner having directed the jury in the usual manner, they retired to view the body, and on returning the following evidence was taken ;

Joseph Perare sworn, deposed : I am a boarding-house keeper, living in Willis-street, Wellington, I knew the deceased personally, but did not know his name. He was always known as Austrian Jack. He was about 25 or 26 years old. I do not know, what part of Austria he came from. He was a sailor, and used to sell fish. I saw him last yesterday morning. He came to the house and asked me to go out fishing with him. We went out (three of ns), in the boat, starting from Hunter’s wharf. The other man I knew by the name of Louis. He was an American half-caste. We left the wharf about 10 o’clock. There was a fresh and puffy breeze at the time. 1 advised that a reef should be taken in; but deceased said it was not necessary—that we could keep close to the land. The wind, a short time after, when we were about Nghauranga, appeared to go down, and the weather became calm. There was another boat out fishing ; she was clo-e-reefed, and before we came up with her the wind became puffy. We were making for Somes Island, intending to take in a reef as soon as we got under shelter. I was steering the boat until within about one mile from the island. I then went forward to light a cigar, and Louis took the helm. Louis was a sailor. The deceased was sitting ®n the peak halyards in the centre of the boat. We had no idea of any danger ; the boat was running with a fine breeze. While I was engaged lighting my cigar the boat heeled over, and the water rushed over the bow. I shouted out to Louis to luff her up. He tried to do so, but could not, and cried out to that effect. I then rushed out from under the forecastle. The boat floated at the bow for a few minutes and we all held on to the jibboom. I asked Louis if he could swim, and he said no. I did not ask Jack, because I knew he could swim very well. I gave Louis a small paddle to assist him, and the boat a minute or two aftewards went down. I did not see Louis again after giving him the paddle. Jack and I started at once for the other boat, which was near Ngahanranga, about a mile away. I could swim faster than Jack, he having a pair of sea boots on, so I started ahead, telling him that I would make for the other boat and come to his assistance. I reached the boat and was pulled on board, after which we returned to look for my mates. We had a fair wind, and ran down to the spot where the? boat sank in a few minutes. When we came up with deceased he was just sinking ; he was quite still, as though his limbs were cramped, and his head was sinking under the water. He was nulled on board. He did not speak, and was only seen to breathe once, after which he expired. We looked for the other man Louis, but could not find him, and we returned to the wharf with the body of Austrian Jack. A man named Nicholas, who was in the boat, gave information to the police, and the body of Austrian Jack was brought to the Morgue. At the time of the accident the mainsheet was loose. It had been a fair wind, and the sheet was only made fast to the bare end, the boom just touching the rigging, so that it could not be more free. At the time the accident occurred the boat got a heavy list. I think if the man sitting at the halyards had lowered the peak at the time, the boat would have righted itself. I shouted out to the man at the helm to luff up, and when he answered that she would not luff, I called out to lower the peak, but I suppose the deceased got frightened. Had he been quick he could have done it very well. I know nothing about the friends or relations of the deceased.

George Nicholas deposed that he -was a fisherman living in Wellington, and was fishing in the boat May yesterday. At about 11 o’clock a yacht passed us on the weather side of us. They lowered the peak down as they went by. About fifteen minutes afterwards, on looking round, we missed tho boat, and we thought that she had gone under the island in order to reef her sail Shortly afterwards I heard a cry from tho water, and looking out saw the last witness swimming towards us.

He was almost exhausted. He was yvhle to answer our questions, and said one of his mates must be close at hand, but the other could not swim. Ou searching around I saw the deceased just sinking. He was under the water when I discovered him, aud I had to put my hand beneath the water to grasp hi» head. 1 then pulled him on board with the assistance of luy mate and Perare. He breathed oueo after being pulled on hoard, hut showed uo further signs of life. We set sail again and made a few tacks up and down, looking for the third man ; hut we could not find him. As Perare was getting worse, being very sick, we started for home as fast as possible. As soon as we arrived we informed the police, who came aud took charge of the body of deceased. I knew deceased for eight months, during which time he was selling fish in the town. I do not know his name beyond John ; lie was an Austrian. He was about 24 or 25 years of a»e. I know nothing more about him. Joseph Perare was recalled, aud deposed that the peak of the yacht was lowered when they passed the May (as stated by Nicholas) ; but it was afterwards hauled up again aud full sail set, as the wind did not appear to he strong. Dr. Johnston pointed out that the case did not present any difficulties to the jury so far as their verdict was concerned, as the affair was purely accidental. The jury returned an open verdict.