THE LAUNCH TRAGEDY.
STORY OF HEROISM. “ YOU’RE SAFE NOW OLD MAN.” WELLINGTON, Thursday. According to Hodgman, the survivor of the launch tragedy, Herberley might have saved his own life by swimming to the rocks had he not taken hold of Hunter in an endeavour to bring him through the surf. Ali the Scottish iisherfoik at Island Bay went to the scene of the tragedy to give what help they could, and they took great risks in their endeavours to save the men on the launch. Several of them roped themselves together with Mr Peter isbister at the head of the line. Just behind him was Mr John Tait.
The rescuers caught a glimpse of the launch just as a tremendous comber caught it broadside on and capsized it. For a few seconds they could see Hodgman clinging to the gunwale, while the other three men were on the outei side. They were flung off the launch, which was then caught in another huge avalanche of water and smashed with terrific force on to the rocks. “It was smashed to smithereens,” said Mr Isbister. “ I then caught sight of Hodgman, who was lying on the rocks a few yards away. I managed to swim across and got hold of him by the shoulder. Pie wa3 exhausted and barely conscious. I caught hold of him by the shoulder and said: ‘ You’re safe now, old man.’ He replied: ‘ Thank God,’ and collapsed. We were then pulled back by the other men on the rope.” ' Mr Tait said he saw one of the other men on the top of a wave,.which swept him back again in the current. Nothing more was seen of any of them after that. '
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Waikato Times, Volume 108, Issue 18139, 2 October 1930, Page 7
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284THE LAUNCH TRAGEDY. Waikato Times, Volume 108, Issue 18139, 2 October 1930, Page 7
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