Terrific Squall in Auckland.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 4325, 10 November 1882, Page 2

Terrific Squall in Auckland.

A RACING CUTTER CAPSIZED.

One of the heaviest squalls that has visited Auckland harbor occurred at about 10 o'clock yesterday morning. At that hour a number of small craft were preparing for the races in the North Shore Regatta, and the large cutter race had just started. The vessels eDgaged in that race were the Euphemia, Henry, Half Caste, and Gannet. These wero goiug up the harbour with all sail set. The gale could b6 seen coming off the land, and tnauy of the crews of the small open boats at once took in all sail. Other boats, which kept canvas standing, foundered, but the crews managed to get ashore in safety. Although the masters of the four cutters observed the squall coming down on them, the spirit of com" petition was so strong that not a reef was taken in. When struck by the gale, the vessels heeled over to leeward, the Gannet apparently going cleau over on her beam end. After a few moments of terrible anxiety she slowly righted. The Euphemia next experienced the 'full force of the gale. The crew stated that after she heeled over to the first puff her ballast shifted to leeward. Some of the men, seeing that the I

position-was critical, took oft' the hatches with the intention of rectifying the mishap below. They were too late, however. Ere they could carry out their intention, a second'squal' struck the vessel, and she went on her side and commenced to fill. As far as we can ascertain, the following were on board at the time of the accident: —E. .Hodgson, master; E. Hodgson, junr.; J. Lowndes, of Parnell; Hodgson or Hutson, of Brighton ; Matthew Keefe, a carter in Hodgson's employ; Mclndoeor McKeown, of Brighton; Thomas Mathie, cook of the cutter Champion ; and a man known as Ned, mate of that vessel. At the time of the accident, the gale was' blowing with the force of a tornado, and a heavy sea was running. .The accident occurred at a point about half a mile from the North Shore Sandspit. The crews of the other cutters engaged in the race observed the accident. The cutter -- Half-caste was the nearest to the disabled vessel, and the men on the Henry stated that they called to the skipper of the Half-caste to wear away dnd run for them No notice was taken of their appeal, however, the Half-caste continuing on her course. Dowd, the skipper, subsequently stated that he gave orders to his native, crew to wear the vessel, but they objected, fearing that by so doing they might lose their chance in the race. The Henry put about and made for the Euphemia, which, however, settled down before she could be reached. The crew "^ jumped clear and were seen struggling in the water. The Half-caste now came up to render assistance, followed by the new yacht Arawa, and at the same time a ferry steamer put off from the Devonpprt wharf. —' The cutter Henry, which had rundown to leeward, now rounded up and picked up the Hodgsons, father and son (the former of whom had supportedthe latter) Hodßsod, of Brighton, and Keefe, and the fi^rr^. steamer rescued Lowrides. Thefe :<Ww^ still three men in the water; two-were^BOff where to be seen, and the third, Mathie, was in a state 1 of great exhaustion when the Arawa came up. 0ne*....0f her crew jumpedinto a little Cockle shell of a dingy, and, despite the|boiling sea, succeeded in seizing Matbie's head just as he was on the point of sinking. - Two men, Mclodoe or McKeown, and " Ned," mate of the Champion, are still missing, and-it is feared they are drowned. The gale was experienced with equal force at other parts of the harbor. Several boats foundered at Judge's Bay and Freeman's Bay, bat their crews got ashore in safety. One open boat went down off the North Shof«. "Wharf, but its occupants g»t ashore without difficulty.

It is known that " Ned," mate of the Champion, is drowned. ,:*