MELANCHOLY BOAT ACCIDENT.

West Coast Times, Issue 378, 8 December 1866, Page 2

MELANCHOLY BOAT ACCIDENT.

LOSS OF TWO LIVES

A nioro lamentable event than th.it which occurred yesterday nioruuig, has not taken place in tho port sineo tho capsizing of the Lady Darling's boat iv the surf, in August last year. Then, five unfortunates wore hurried into eternity ; aud in this instance two wore suddenly called away to meet their filial account. They belonged to the Harbor-master's boat, which was manned by a crew of smart active fejlows, who have ever been found ready on any emergency to faithfully perform their duty. Their occupation is oft-times attended with great risk, but being skilled and daring boatmen, thoroughly acquainted with the navigation of the river and bar, they had hitherto succeeded in successfully encountering the perils of their everyday lite. The tragedy of yesterday, however, affords another sad illustration of the old adage of the " Pitcher "—" — as rendered callous to danger they dared too much, and, but for the merest chance, the whole crew must have perished. The following arc the details of this bad catastrophe, which forms the crowning event of Iho stranding of tho unfortunate &tearuer Dispatch : — As we have staled in former issues, she was lying on tho tail of the North Spit, and beparated from tho middle bank of sand (which is directly opposite the reack of river running between tho spits) by the north channel. Sovoral attempts were made to heave hor off, but, owing to low tides and tho absence of sufficient sea to lift hor, they signally failed. Tho " springs," however, were close at hnnd, and it was confidently anticipated that when tlu-y set in hor release would be offected. Yesterday morning the tide proved most favorable, and as it flowed tho working of tho steamer indicated that her dcliveranco was at hand. Duo notice of this was forwarded to town, and at about ten o'clock the steam-tug Challenge proceeded down the river to mako another attempt to drag" the Dispatch off the bank. The rain that fell during the previous night had very muoh increased tho volume of the river, winch dischargpd a strong freshet

through both ehanuol&, uinl orer the nnddl" bank. Tho surf was uleo somewhat heavy, and at times nulled furiously paat Ihe btraudod vebsel, sendiug overy now uud then ugly rollers into the river. The occasion vns certoinly not oue when tho services of a «haloboat could be used with safety; but nevertheless the harbur-bodL was inattuudimco, and when tho Challenge backed info tho rdil} caused by a bigHi, or rather shallow gut way, Hut intereccts the tail of the spit, slit 1 attempted to run a line from tho Dispatch to her. Tho boat, however, wab caught by the current, and tho bight of the line acting as a drag upon her, but slow head way was made, audit was very evident that her position whs one of samo danger. She was manned by a crow of five men whoso names were Samuel M'Carthy (coxswain), J. Rodgers, C. M'Cloud, Win. Martin, and John Aguow. Observing the impending peril tho Challenge backed her engines and nearcd the boat sufficiently to heave a line on board, and then turned slow ahead to rogain the eddy. But the strain brought to bear upon the blight heaving line by the weight of the boat was more than it was capable of resisting, for tho Challenge had hardly made two revolutions with her engines when the hemp snapped like packthread, aud the boat was instantly whirled away by the current towards the surf. M'Cloud, who pulled tho after oar, at onco cast adrift the line that should have connected the two steamers, and then out oars was the word, and desperate efforts were made to regain the Challenge. But by this time the boat had been drawn to within dangerous proximity of the line of surf, and although she wus magnificently managed by "Saul," the coxswain, who for a minute or two kept her fairly end on to the sea, she at last took a slight sheer, and being struck at that moment by a heavy sea, turned completely over, precipitating her crow into tho surf; and so sudden was the shock of her broaching to that the coxswain was jerkcl by tho steer oar some distance from the boat, Opinions ,are divided upon what followed. Somo eye-witnesses of the scene averring that all of the crew regained the boat and clung to her bottom, whilst others say that only four of them succeeded in so doing. It is, however, certain that the boat 'was swept with fearful rapidity towards the middle bank, • and two of the men named John Agncw and William Martin were drowned. Tho survivors state thot they were several times washed from theiv^frail hold, and as oftcu succeeded in regaining it ; but at last became so exhausted that they gave themselves up for lost, feeling confident that they would bo unable to withstaud another sea. Their only hope lay in the Challenge, which they gazed at with eager eyes, and hailed her in 'piteous tones to come to their assistance. There was no occasion for this appeal, as directly Capt. Wilson saw the boat capsized he pushed to tier assistance — at no slight risk to his own vessel ; and the manner in which' he handled the Challenge yesterday whon in a position of unusual difficulty, won him the admiration of all beholders. It must bo remembered that she was lying to tho northward of the boat, with her head up stream, and as the latter was carried to the south the Challenge could not have fetched her by at onco backing astern, bul wab compelled to shoot ahead across the currents, turn right round, and bear down upon the boat, which by this time was in the breakei-H on tho middle* bank. Capt. Wilson however, hesitated not, but took the helm himself, and ordered all hands to provide lines, aud stand by to heave, when within reach, believing that a3 the tido was high thero was water enough upon tho bank to carry the tug over it. Then by cleverly steering and working the disconnected ongincs ho succeeded in bringing the boat close under the tug's port bow, and the lines beiug cast were seized by tho three men who were safely haulod on board, although nearly at the last gasp. Several gentlemen were on board the Challenge, amongst whom were Captain Tumbull, Messrs Fisher, Spcncc, Moss, secretary of the Greymouth Steam Tug Company, and several of the members. Captain Turnbull hove the first line, and, assisted by Mr Moss, hauled M'Clond on deck. Rodgera was the next saved, and then M'Curlhy, who was some distance from the vessel when her second mate threw a line into his hands. He was far le^s exhausted than the others. Nothing could be seen of either Agnew or Martin. Whilst this was taking place, the Challenge had drifted across the bank, and fortunately without toucMng. She then pushed through tho break into open water, where she slued, then returned inside, fastened to the Dispatch — which by this time was afloat — and towed her up the river, the flags of both vessels flying half-mast, confirming tho sad intelligence that had been already received in town. A deep gloom was cast over that which -would otherwise have proved a joyful occasion, as tho releusc of tlie Dispatch was hailed with satisfaction by the hundreds who lined the wharf to witness her arrival. Tho vessels lying there immediately hoisted then 1 colors half-mast, and the same tribute of sorrow was paid by the different shipping agencies and those hotels and stores provided with flag staffs. It is highly desirable that such aceicidenis should bo if possiblo averted for the future, and wo woidd therefore suggest that as the Harbor-master's crew are often exposed to imminent danger, that better provision should be made to secure them. A superior krnd of boat than either of those hitherto used is much needed — oue, in fact, combining the qualities of a whale and lifeboat. Life bolts — to be worn by the men at such times when danger was apparent — should also be provided for. Had the crew worn them yesterday, not one life would have been lost. Wo do not impute blanio to any ono in particular, but we cannot forbear alluding iv terms of deprecation to the overdaring displayed yesterday by the Harbormaster's crew, who, however, we dare say, merely acted under orders. We feel cerium that thoy did so without entertaining the slightest fear of consequences ; but the lamentable results should teach a lesson of caution, which we sincerely hope will long bo borne in mind, as times and seasons do occur during which no boat should be permitted to venture round tho point of the North Spit.