BOAT ACCIDENT AND LOSS OF LIFE.

West Coast Times, Issue 62, 26 October 1865, Page 2

BOAT ACCIDENT AND LOSS OF LIFE.

Tho barquo Golden Ago, which arrived hero from Melbourne on (Saturday last, brought, amongst other consignments for this port one of tboso fine pleasure cutters for which Sandridgo is celebrated) and amongst her . passengers was the owner of tho boat, who, with his party, doubtless imagined she could livo in any sea, or under any oiroumstances, or they would nover have trusted themselves in so frail a craft on the pitiless waters of tho West Coast ; and their having done bo not only shows how erroneous an estimate they must hnvo formed of tho absolute dangeis to bo encountered in attempting to land in such small vessels, but has led to results most melancholy and fatal. On Monday last, tho Golden Ago discharged her passengers into tho Lioness steam-tug, who, as soon as she was laden, mado tor tho shore not having timo to wait for this boat which by some unaccouutablo fatality was allowed to remain on tho booms instead of being launched in readiness for tho steamer, Her crew, however, were k in no way daunted nt tho prospect before them, they had faith in their littlo craft, and although tho Golden Age left the same day, and there was not the slightest chance of their being towed in until the morrow, tdey hesitated not, but boldly committed themselves to tho mercies of tho deep, and to tho care of an all- wise Providenco They watched tho departure of tho barque that had been a home to them since leaving Melbourne and then not liking the appearance of tho beach in the immediate vicinity of Ilokitika, and fearing to oioss the bar, not having a pilot, stood away to the southward in search of a aafor landing-place ; but the same impenetrable wall of surf meeting their gaze wherever they went, they returned to tho road* stead next day (.Tuesday), trusting that somo one of tho harbor steamers would givo them a tow in. Too late to catch tho Bruce on hor first trip in, they hailed the Uno, but she, in consequence of tho unfavorable state of tho weathor, could no' afford thorn tho assistance they required. On tho Bruco coining out the second time that day to lighter tho Alhambra, they ran alongsido of her, in readiness to accompany her in should she return that day. That, howovor, was out of tho question there not being time to tranship passengers and cargo and catch the tide too ; but Oapt Malcolm promised to tow them in on Wednesday, tho weather permitting. Invitations to board the Bruce wero refused by them, and they mado no application for provisions or water, although they could have had none themselves, only half a bucket of tho latter having been taken from tho Golden Ago. After hanging on to the Bruce for a couple of hours they wero obliged to cast oft", for her _ manoeuvres round tho Alhambra placed them in some danger, and considerably in tho way of tho steamer herself, so thoy then ran for the Uuo, and brought up under her stern for the night, hoping the next day would see them safe and sound in the river. But who can tell what the morrow will bring forth. In this instance it was ushered in by a galo of wind tln.t swept over the surface of the ocean, toaring tho unfortunato craft from her anchors (both cables parting) driving hor a long distance to tho nor hward, whero sho was afterwards observed by those on tho spit making fruitless efforts to claw off shore and reach the Bruce, which was by this timo standing in for tho bar. Adopting tho only means in thoir power to make their perilous position known, tho poor fellows hoisted a bluo shirt as a signal of distress : but this was not seen, the high rollers completely hiding her from tho view of those on board tho steamer, and oven hud they seen her they could have given liorno liplj> as she was in too close proximity to tho beach. Still tho few who observed her from on shoro never dreamt of tho absoluto sta'o of affairs on board the littlo hooker, little thinking she was without any ground tacklo, or in all probability greater efforts would have been made to render them assistance. Whona littletothenorthward of theMontczuma, hercrew, who had not eat on or drunk since tho previous day, determined to beach her, or (as one of the survivors told us) dio in tho attempt, tho galo still blowing furiously, rendering any attompt to work to windwaid impossible j bnt direo'ly she got into the break, tho first surf broached her to, and in an instant sho was turned over and over, and her crew struggling for their lives. Tho rest is soon told. Henry Ross, one of the survivors, after gotting entangled in the boat's gear, managed to clear himself, and, clinging to the bowsprit, which, fortunately for him, was at hand, swam and drifted on shoro, when ready hands were waiting to rescue him from his perilous position. Ho was inuoli oxhaustcd, and had to bo carried to tho nearest hut, whero, under the kind treatment of tho inmates, he was soon in a condition to givo an account of tho events which led to so untoward a termination. In tho meantime, the other two, whoso names were Henry Piening and Henry Lawson (tho latter being the owner) olung to the boat, and wero gradually drifting olosor to tho beach, when the heavy seas which constantly broke over them so weakened Ltfwson that ho relaxed his hold, and the next roller swopt him into eternity. Piening, however, managed to stick to tho boat, and after a long struggle reached tho beach, where he mot with the same ready attention that had been paid to his shipmate. The boat also was recovered and hauled up above high water mark, tho only wondor being she was not broken in splinters instead of being comparatively uninjured Henry Ross supplied us with tho details from which we have compiled tho above account, and he and tho other survivor have reason to he grateful for their most merciful dolivoranco, tho surf yesterday being unusually heavy. Once moro wo hope that this latest warning will not be disregarded, and that this is the last tirao we shall ovor hear of an attompt to land on our shores by beaching a boat, and if boats aro brought over hero from cithor Melbourno or Sydnoy thoir owners will please bear in mind before starting tho in seven casos out of ton, harbour steamers, (through the weathor) cannot tow them in, and the exceptional cases of "favourable opportunities" aro so fow and far between that it is hardly worth whilo depending on them. Wo would also wish it to be understood, that although tho Hose of Sandridgo is a pretty boat, and well calculated to sail on tho waters of Port Philip harbor, that sho if not the stamp for Hokitika, and will probably romain unused unless hor next owner whoovor he may bo converts hor into v " ballaster."