BOAT ACCIDENT IN THE HARBOUR.

Auckland Star, Volume V, Issue 1490, 19 November 1874, Page 2

BOAT ACCIDENT IN THE HARBOUR.

A boat accident occurred in the harbour th*B morning, fortunately unattended with fatal consequences. Mr E. T. Brassey, and two of the Messrs Kemp, took a small boat— about 12 feet in length—and set out from the North Shore about nine o'clock this morning oh a fishing excursion. Sail was set, and the little craft went along with a spanking breeze, when a sudden gust of wind capsized it, placing the occupants in a very perilous position. The accident was observed by Messrs Nolan and Allison from the North Shore, and by the crew of the brig Pakeha, lying off the North Mead windbound, and boats put off to the rescue from each place. All the occupants of the capsized boat were good swimmers, and were able to keep up until assistance arrived, otherwise they must have met with a watery grave. As it was, all were taken safely ashore, and lost no time in ridding themselves of their wot garments, and removingjthe other effeots of their ducking by the usual pleasant remedy employed in such cases. We not uncommonly hear of boat accidents where even a thorough practical acquaintance with the art of swimming has proved futile, but this is one of the many instances recorded where there would, beyond all doubt, have been aerioua fatality but for the knowledge of swimming, an art which all boys should learn. We have received the following letter on the subject: «• Sir,—ln reference to rumours

which are beine circulated^BWr boat being capsized ia a squall at theWrth Head, 1 beg to state that such are not the facts of the case as the boat at the time was at anchor and the sails down. The accident happened as follows :-^-All the hands in the boat were sitting on one side ready for fishing, and one of the lines were just going over the side, and in making an effort to get it the boat turned over, as a boat would naturally do, all hands being on one side.—l am, &c., The Boy in the Boat."