AUCKLAND HARBOR FATALITY.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 April 1918, Page 2

AUCKLAND HARBOR FATALITY.

THE SOLE SURVIVOR'S STORY. ' Auckland, April 8 The only survivor of the harbor drowning fatality on Saturday evening is a Samoan boy, named Hellesoe. He is an expert swimmer. Qreat praise is due to him for his efforts to save John Skinner. He states that ha, with the four deceased, set out about 0 p.m. in a 12ft dinghy, with the intention of fishing off North Head. On arrival at the Ashing ground they lit a hurricane lamp as a protection from large vessels. Shortly after 7 p.m. they took the light in the boat,'so that they could sea to cut up some bait. Suddenly he saw the headlight of an appr'oaching vessel. He told the others that a vessel was behind them, and called out to those on the ve=sel. While they were trying to pull up the anchor to avoid a collision, the towliße caught the dinghy's mast and dragged the small craft towards the vessel which was being towed. The dinghy capsized, and all the occupants were thrown into the water. Ernest and David Skinner caught hold of Sutherland, and John Skinner seized Hellesoe Hellesoe managed to right the dinghy, and place. John inside it- Unfortunately, the dinghy filled again. John was thrown into the water, a.nd he drifted to where Sutherland was holding up the othy two boys, both of whom were calling out. Sutherland called out, "I'm done, Christian ; save yourself." A boat then arrived, an;l Hellesoe, who had managed to climb on to the upturned dinghy, told them to go to Sutherland and the others first. However, they picked him up first. When he looked again the others had disappeared. Hellesoe was taken on board one of the vessels, and brought to the city, where the police were informed.