Fatal Accident Near Whangaparoa.

Auckland Star, Volume XVII, Issue 98, 24 April 1886, Page 2

Fatal Accident Near Whangaparoa.

Information of another lamentable drowning accident also reached us yesterday, an elderly man named Samuel Keys, of Free man's Bay Auckland, having fallen overboard and been drowned from the steamer Ro3e Casey during her trip from this port to Warkworth The Rose Casey left the Queen-street Wharf at 2 p.m. on Thursday last for Waiwera and Workworth and amongst her passengers was the deceased, who was quite sober, though some of the passengers fancied that he was somewhat eccentric in his manner. In course of conversation he informed the mate of the steamer that he had beon unable to obtain work in Auckland, and had accepted an engagement from Messrs Cruickshank, of Warkworth, as assistant storeman, When the Rose Casey was off Wangapawa Point she was rolling heavily, and Captain Sommerville advised Keys to leave the deck and make himself comfortable in the cabin. The man, however, did not do so, but remained where he was, holding on to the staunchions for support. Waves were breaking on board, and several times Keys changed his place to keep clear of the water. Suddenly the steamer gave a heavy lurch, and Keys, losing his hold of the stanchion, was thrown overboard. The mate tried to grasp him, but failed to do so, and gave the alarm "A man overboard." Tho Rose Casey was then going full speed ahead under both .-team and canvas. The engines were immediately revorsed. a man sent aloft to look out for Keys, and orders given for tho boat to be lowered. Keys could be seen in the water aa the steamer went astern, and when close to where he was the boat was lowered and pulled towards him. Every effort was put forth by the rowers, but without avail, for they were only half-a-dozen yards from the unfortunate man when

Be Sank Bonoatli tbe Waves, having made no effort to save himself either by swimming or otherwise endeavouring to keep afloat. The boat remained over by the spot where he disappeared for several minutes, but Roys never rose to the surface again, and she was turned back to the steamer, Beforo she could be hauled up on the davits however she was stove in against the sido of the Rose Casey owing to the rolling of the vessel. Deceased was a married man, who came from Staten Island, New York, and had been for some time employed at the Working Men's Club.