A PERILOUS EXPERIENCE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 61, 21 October 1907, Page 2

A PERILOUS EXPERIENCE.

BARGE WRECKED OFF WAfTARA, NARROW. ESCAPES FROM DROWNING. But for the cool behaviour, the display of good seamanship and_ an Ultimate knowledge of the conditions ot the bar of the river on the part ol Cap tarn Williamson, two lives might have been lost near the mouth of the Wailara liver oil Saturday night. At about half-past nine the Ivotalii, in command of Captain Fred. Williamson, started towing a barge, containing a llaxmilbiig plant, to a point beyond Mokau. On the barge were James Brophy and James Grant. There was a particularly heavy swell on the bar of the liver at the time, and before it was crossed, the tow-line snapped. Capt. Wiliamson put his launch about, and was able to get another tow line on the barge. This was secured by the two men aboard, but ill a very short time the rope shared the fate of its predecessor. !l Just as the rope broke, a heavy sea swamped the barge and swept the two men into the sea The KotaJii was put about, and Capt Williamson quickly threw lifebuoys to tile struggling men, who forunalcly were able to grasp and hold on to thein. Seeing no chance of succouring the men with the launch in the turbulent sea running, Capt. Williamson put oil all steam and dashed through the swell to the river for tiie lilelm.u and further aid. These lie secured.

Oil returning to the scene of the mishap, it was found that Brophy had been carried about half a mile out to sea, The boat's crew could hear his cries, and just got to his side in timey for he iyas almost done. Brophy was put aboard tlio boat and n, search wap made for the other man, Grant. On getting back to the river mouth it was found that he had been washed ashore, anil he was taken aboard quite exhausted. The men were taken back to the town, where all their needs were attended to. In a few hours they had recovered from their terrible experience. Ji'lip barge was Biuas'hed to pieces. he tlaxinililng plani is fully intact, and it is hoped that it will be successfully salvaged. The plant belongs to a private company, of which Messrs h. Monleath and L. Buckman, of New Plymouth are members. g 0 far as we were abb; to ascerain last evening there was no insurance on the plant. Hie barge was valued at £f!o. Gipt, Williamson is to be commended tin his prompt action. Had he not succeeded in gelling the lifebuoys to the men promptly, and secured assistance lainiei.hiteiy there is lilllo doubt that (lie men would have been drowned.