SWAMPING OF A DINGHY

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 148, 19 December 1911, Page 5

SWAMPING OF A DINGHY

[ A MAN DROWNED. By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, Monday. (!erald Byrne, locomotive fireman, 24 years of age, was drowned at St. George's Bay yesterday afternoon tlirough the swamping of a dinghy. Deceased's .brother William, 20 yearns of age, and two other men, Harry Golder and Michael ■Lanigan, were rescued-, though Byrne was in an exhausted condition., and was taken to the hospital. They were all residents of Ponsonbv, the man wli-o was drowned living with his parents, of whom he was the main support. The men comprised the crew of the yacht Cora. They h;ul just returned from n cruise and anchored 150 yards from the shore. At three o'clock they started to row ashore in a dinghy. A gale was blowing from the north-west, with a heavy, choppy sea, and the boat was capsized- with tihe men beneath. They succeeded in extricating themselves, but the tide commenced to sweep them ■ down the harbor. The accident was observed from the shore, and several men went to the rescue in dinghies. Gerald Byrne, who was the only one who was unable to swim, was held by his brother until assistance reached them. The four men were then picked up and .taken ashore. The elder Byrne was- found to be dead, and his brother had collapsed and was apparently in a serious condition. The other members of the. crew had not suffered any serious injury. William Byrne -recovered under treatment and is reported to be out of danger.