NARROW ESCAPE PROM DROWNING.

Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 829, 24 June 1871, Page 3

NARROW ESCAPE PROM DROWNING.

A painful illustration of the necessity existing for a proper place for landing and embarking passengers at Grahamstown occurred on the evening of June 7th. Three boats full of passengers left the wharf for the steamer Golden Crown, but neither of them succeeded in making the steamer owing to the strong N.E. gale which blew. One of the boats, with seven passengers on board, after many futile efforts to get to the steamer, attempted to put back, and was swept away by the wind and tide. The passengers were at length picked up off Shortland by the " Lady Bowen," which was then leaving for Auckland. The boat was nearly swamped by the seas breaking over her, and it was needless to say that the passengers were completely drenched. The Lady Bowen then proceeded to cruise about in search of the other two boats, with instructions to communicate with the GoHen Crown if unsuccessful. Considerable fears were entertained for the safety of the others, untif'about eleven o'clock, when the Golden Crown steamed in towards the wharf with the two boats in tow. It appears that they were successful in reaching the Golden Crown, but all their efforts to rbturn to shore were unsuccessful, and they were obliged to make for the steamer again. The news of their safety relieved the anxieties of a large number who had assembled on the wharf at the time. The Lady Bowen subsequently came back, and on learning of the safety of the boats steamed for Auckland.