SWEPT FROM LAUNCH.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 134, 8 June 1926, Page 10

SWEPT FROM LAUNCH.

MARRIED MAN MISSING.

SEARCH PROVES FRUITLESS,

A married man, with one child, named William George Partridge, aged 40 years, was swept from a launch into the Manukau Harbour at about 7 o'clock last evening. He was returning from Graham's Beach in the launch Moa, which was towing a punt containing sand, and was under sail in addition to engine power.

He was steering, while his mate, Mr. J. Recce, was attending to the engine below. When in the south channel, and about 3 miles from shore. Mr. Recce heard the boom swing-to suddenly. He rushel on deck and found that his> companion had disappeared, leaving no trace. He immediately brought the launch to anchor, and cruised about in a dinghy for some time, until a second launch came on the scene. The search proved fruitless, and he left for Onehunga. It is known that" Mr. Partridge was a strong swimmer, but he was clad in heavy gum boots at the time and may have been rendered unconscious by a blow from the boom.

Mr. Partridge's home is at No. 3, Inkerman Street, Onehunga. A. launch containing two police constables and .Mr Partridge senior, of Canhvell Street, Onehunga, left at 11 o'clock this morning to search for the body of the missing man at low water, which was aboiit one o'clock, where the accident happened.