WASHED OFF BREAKWATER

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 625, 30 March 1929, Page 1

WASHED OFF BREAKWATER

TWO FISHERMEN DROWNED NEW PLYMOUTH FATALITY Press Association NEW PLYMOUTH, Friday. A double drowning accident occurred in New Plymouth Harbour this morning, when two men, who went out to the end of the breakwater to fish, were washed away and were not seen again. The victims were: Mr. Albert Therkleson, engineer, aged 29, a married man with four children. Mr. Ernest Edward Thomas, roadroller driver, employed by the Borough Council, aged about 30, married, with one child. The bodies had not been recovered this evening. The breakwater, which shelters the harbour, Is a wide concrete wall jutting nearly half a mile into the sea. This morning heavy seas driven by a westerly wind were crashing over the wall at intervals. The two men gained the end of the breakwater by dodging waves. A number of people who saw them realised their danger, but could do nothing in time to avert disaster. At the extreme end of the wall the men, although drenched, were seen to commence fishing. Within a few minutes a huge wave crashed upon the pier, sweeping both men into the seething water. Two boys, who were paddling a canoe in sheltered water, went out and picked up one man’s hat. The Harbour Board launch within a few minutes thoroughly searched the locality, but the men were not seen again. Both were experienced fishermen, who knew the harbour well, and many residents who had a full view of the tragedy were amazed at their daring in attempting to reach the end of the wall. Mr. Thomas, distinguishable by his size from Mr. Therkleson, was seen to bend down as the wave struck the outer side of the wall and then as the flying water struck him he was sent headlong into the foaming water on the harbour side, where it is probable he would strike the ragged rubble flanking the wall. Mr. Therkleson, who was standing on the concrete block over the end of the wall, was simply smothered in the frothing