Fatal Boat Accident.

Thames Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2957, 7 August 1878, Page 2

Fatal Boat Accident.

Three Men Drowned.

It is our painful duty to chronicle a boating accident, whereby it is feared three men lost their lives. At about half past eleven o'clock last night the yacht Columbia left the Shortland Wharf for the Miranda, having on board George De Thierry, James Benney and Jonathan Thrupp (usually known as old Jonathan). All three were seen shortly before starting, and from what we can learn all were sober at the time they left. At about noon today, Henry Everett, master of Mr Bettis' fishing boat Louisa, reported to the police that at day break this morning the Louisa was aground on the mud flat about three miles from the mouth of the Piako river, and he and his mate, a lad named Cayanagh, noticed a vessel lying on its side about half a mile from where the Louisa was lying. As soon as the tide rose far enough to permit of them getting away, they made sail to the capsized boat, which they sailed round and found her to be the Columbia. She was in about four feet of water, and the main sail and jib were set, her appearance indicating that she had been caught in a squall and suddenly capsized. The dingey, which was attached by a painter to the boat, was swamped; and, jammed between the throat halliards and the mast, they saw a man's leg. The body was under water, lying in the bight of the sail. They did not atttempt to secure the body but returned to Shortland and reported to the police. Mr Bullen dispatched Constable Hogan and some men in the harbor master's boat to search for the bodies, and at 2 o'clock today the Buona Ventura was getting up steam to proceed to the scene of the accident. All three men are juarried, and leave families.