THE WHANGAPE FATALITY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 252, 22 October 1907, Page 5

THE WHANGAPE FATALITY.

story told by survivors; CAPSIZED M THE BREAKERS/ SEVEN PERSONS PERISH. ALONG SWIM. (By Telegraph.--own correspondent.) WHANGAPE, this day. On Sunday last, early in the afternoon, a party. of eleven men, and, a boy .pi' ten years of age, left Whangape. in. Messrs. Wallace Bros.' oil launch, on a fishing excursion over the bar. On reaching the Heads, it was found that the bar ,was a bit rough, and one or two of tfce party suggested that the launch should put back. This idea was pooh-poohed by the majority, and they proceeded to cross the bar. One nasty comber was encountered but if was negotiated safely, anil the fishing ground, which is half a mile out, was reached shortly after.. Little luck attended their efforts, tliough they tried different parts of the fishing ground. A change in the wind from east to nor'west caused a heavy swell to spring up, and they could see that the bar was breaking heavily at times. About half-past four anchor was lifted, and the launch steamed in towards the bar. Mr David Wallace said it was unsafe to cross, so they returned to the fishing ground, and waited for half ail hour, when a fresh start was made, as the bar seemed a little better.

A few chains south-west of the rock outside the entrance, three heavy rollers were seen coining up close astern. The first of these passed under the boat, but the second one broke heavily as it came up, overturning the launch, carrying away part of the deckhouse, and precipitating all hands into the wafer. The third one, also breaking, scattered the unfortunate stragglers, and when it passed on .only four or five were able to get to the launch, which was floating keel up. These were Messrs Adamson, Wi Hare, Harold Wallace, York, and Blundell. These started to strip off their clothes. Wi Hare soon afterwards sprang off, and swam towards the northern shore, which he reached after a long swim. Mr Allen, on coming to the surface aicer the capsize, found that he could not get "back to the launch, called out; and Wi Hare threw him a couple of boards, which he says were the mean's of keeping him afloat, as he was carried right across the break'on the outer sandspit. He got ashore inside the South Heads, well up the harbour. He ran at once to the Whangape ferry station, about two miles away, and boats were immediately manned and set off down the harbour. These picked up young Blundell in a very exhausted condition hanging,on to a benzine case. He could find no trace of the others. The survivors were attended to at the ferry station by Mr Irwin, and, with the exception of Tepaa, who is still confined to bed, are progressing favourably. Search parties have been out ever since the accident. Mr Adamson's body was picked up by thmn on Monday morning half-way down the harbour. An inquest was held last night by A. J. Logan, J.P., acting coroner, and a jury of seven. A verdict of accidentally drowned was returned. Irving, who is a good swimmer, when he came to the surface after the capsize, "ooked about for the boy Poppleweli, but was unable to see him. Then he started for the North Shore, followed by Tepaa and David Wallace. Irving and Tepaa reached laud, the latter in a, very exhausted condition, having to be lifted on the rocks by Irving and Wi Hare. Wallace was lost sight of. The launch was seen drifting towards the south side of the entrance. After waiting to see if any others were likely to require help, they made for the settlement.