TWO SISTERS DROWNED.

Patea Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 1003, 28 February 1883, Page 4

TWO SISTERS DROWNED.

A most distressing and lamentable occurrence took place at Coogee Bay, Sydney, on the 8th February, in the vicinity of what is known as the ladies’ bathing-place. Two sisters, named Blanche Medley Viles, and Ida Helena Viles, whose ages were 23 years and 13 years respectively, and who were the daughters of Mr John Viles, a resident of Botany street, Randwick, proceeded, in company with a Miss Lowe and some children who reside at Randwick, to the ladies' bathing-place, between the hours of 6 and 7 o’clock, in order to indulge in a bathe. On reaching the spot the younger sister divested herself of her clothing, and was standing on one of the rocks, being about to enter the water, when a heavy sea broke over her and washed her away. Her sister, noticing her in such peril, and being excited by the thought of her drowning, jumped into the water after her, and attempted to rescue her. Another heavy sea at the time broke in, and both were washed away some distance from the shore, and no assistance being at hand they were drowned. Miss Lowe and her companions on shore raised an alarm as speedily as possible, but on the arrival of assistance the bodies were not to be seen. They were lost sight of for

some time, and when seen again they

were being washed about in all directions in the bay. News of the sad occurrence very soon spread throughout the surrounding neighbourhood, and a large number of people gathered at the scene. Many offers were made to man a boat and proceed to recover the bodies, notwithstanding that the sea was very rough; but, as no boats were to be obtained at Coogee, the bodies had to remain in the water until the arrival of a small boat, which had been sent for. This was obtained at Thomson’s Bay, and was at once manned by Sergeant Straughan, Constable Rogers, and Mr Donnelly, a publican at Randwick. The body of the younger sister was recovered at about noon, and was very shortly afterwards landed on the beach. When near the shore the crew of the boat had a very narrow escape from being capsized. They got in amongst the breakers, and it was thought at one time that they, had no possible chance of escape, but very fortunately the sad calamity was not added to by what might have resulted in another serious accident. After this rather risky trip it was not deemed advisable to venture out in the boat again, and information was then conveyed into Sydney to the effect that the whaleboat of the Water Police was required in order that a search might be made for the other body. However, the pilot steamer Captain Cook was instead despatched to the scene, but on arrival her services were not required, for in the meantime Sergeant Straughan, Senior-constable O’Flaherty, of the Water Police, and three volunteers put off in the same boat to the spot where it was supposed the body was, and after a great deal of difficulty succeeded in recovering it and bringing it on shore. The deceased were at once removed to their parents’ residence. The elder sister had all her clothing on, and this, of course, had a good deal to do with her being kept under water. The bodies were in no way injured. General sympathy prevailed in the neighbour-

hood with the afflicted parents, and both Coogee and Randwick were cast into a state of gloom in consequence of the lamentable accident. It may be mentioned that some four years ago a Miss Kidman, the daughter of a well-known resident, of Sydney, was drowned in the very same spot as that where the two unfortunate young ladies met with their untimely end.