THREE DROWNED.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 90, 18 April 1927, Page 9

THREE DROWNED.

CAPSIZE OF DINGHY. TRAGEDY OFF RANGITOTO. STRUGGLE FOR LIFE AFTER DARK. EX-SOLDIER IN HOSPITAL. A young man and two sisters, one of whom Mas married, were drowned last night off Eangitoto Island when a 7ft dnghy capsized in a choppy sea, emptying its five occupants into the water. The party was returning from a day's outing on the island, it being the intention of those in charge of the little boat to land at St. Heliers. Those drowned Mere: —■ Mr. Raymond Mathieson, aged 12, single, only son of Mr. G. K. Mathieson, baker, of 151, Great North Eoad, Auckland. Mrs. D. Longuett, of Devonport, wife of Mr. Longuett, of the oil tanker Nucula. Both Mrs. Longuett and Miss Franklin lived at No. 2, Rutland .Road, Devonport. Miss Amelia Franklin, of Devonport. In Hospital. Mr. Harold Walby, aged 30, of 31, Marlborough Street, Dominion lload, suffering from shock, caused by exposure. He is making a good recovery. *'A Perfect Nightmare." "'Every time 1 close my eyes I can !-ee the whole scene vividly before me. li is a perfect nightmare,"' said Mr. Walby, who is a returned soldier, in telling the story of the tragedy this morning. '•There were rive of us in the dinghy, which was really too small for so many, and 1 was bailing Mater for some time before she turned over and emptied us out. Missed the Last Boat. ''With the two ladies, I had found myself stranded at Kangitoto, having missed the last ferry boat, and as there was no accommodation 1 Mas pleased when I found we could get a place in the dinghy, which Mas bound for St. Hclier's. Mathieson had rowed over to Kangitoto at mid-day, in company with his friend, Walter Noyes, a' young in.in iijred 21, who lives in Aitken Terrace, (■ieiimore. They had spent the day on the island, and had put off soon after half-past six when they saw us and came back to pick us up. We would not have missed the excursion boat had we known that it went at half-past four, but I Mas tinder the impression that it went at 5.30, and when the whistle blew we were away round the other side of the island. I couldn't hurry, because of my artificial leg I left the other one in France, you see. Hope of Rescue Remote. ''Well, we had gone about a mile. I should say, when we began to ship water, and I got busy baling out. There was a strong Mind off shore, and the dinghy Mas soon swamped. I realise! the position was pretty hopeless. All of a sudden two big waves struck the dinghy, almost simultaneously, and next moment we were all in the water. Hope of being picked up was remote. Effort to Help Women. "It -was moonlight at the time, but I couldn't see a thing. The women were screaming and struggling, and* I eased off from the upturned boat and swam about for a bit so as to give them a chance to cling to the dinghy, which kept turning over and over. Jlv aluminium leg Mas worse than useless in the Mater, but I managed to keep afloat. Noyes alsn released his hold on the boat so that the others Mould have a chance. 'The women Mere clinging to the boat, and Mathieson Mas trying to keep it level for them, when a big sea Mashed it over, and that Mas the end. Mathicson and the women disappeared. It seemed very dark and I couldn't see a tiling. Noyes and I Mere about done when I heard voices, and then I felt myself being hauled into a boat. No Accommodation at Rangitoto.

'"When I get out of hospital I'm going to have something to say about tho necessity for accommodation at Kanaitoto," said Mr. Walby. 4- I think it should be the duty of the caretaker of the domain to put people up for the night if they should happen to miss the last boat. We would never have gone in the dinghy ha<l we been able to find shelter for'the night. The caretaker said he had no blankets or bedding, but after all a roof over our headwas all that we wanted." Picked up by Mr. Donaldson. Mr. Walter Xoyes told a reporter that the live occupants of the dinghy were in the water for over half an hour. Mr. .Sam Donaldson, of Rangitoto, and another man, came along in a small boat and picked up Xoyes and Walby. '"1 il never forget our terrible experience in the water, which was ver v cold,"' said Mr. Noyes. '-Although 'it was moonlight it seemed very dark on the surface of the water, but we all tried to keep a grasp on the waterlogged boat. The dinghy rolled with each wave. The man whom we had picked up floated oil with me, in order to lighten the weight on the dinghy. An artifical leg hampered him a lot, and I don't know how he kept up. Our clothes weighed us down, and we could see no sign of help. "As we moved about to keep the boat level a sea tossed it over and we saw no more of Mr. .Uathieson and the ladies. They just disappeared. I was suffering from cramp, ami the other survivor was exhausted. When I was nearly done I heard someone railing tu us to keep up. Somehow we managed to keep afloat we were pulled out of the water/'

Warned' Not to Go. Mr. Noyes and Mr. Mathieson had crossed to Rangitoto in the dinghy on several occasions, and knew the conditions fairly well. It is said that Mr. G. K. Mathieson (who was president' of the recent baker's conference) told. Jus son yesterday morning it was dangerous to attempt a crossing , . The dinghy was safe enough for two, but the load of five made the small boat low in the water. Ur. Noyes and the late Mr. Mathieson were at the oars when a heavy sea swept over, reducing the small freeboard. The wuve* which capsized the dinghy broke over the bow. Both survivors say that the sea was choppy, rather than rough, and with only two occupants the mainland might have been reached without mis-hap. Mr. Donaldson and his companion took the survivors back to Kangitoto, where a launch was secured in order to make the crossing to St. Heliers. Mr. Walby, who was suffering from .-hock, was sent to the Auckland Hospital as soon as possible. Bereaved Husband at Sea. The laic Mr. Mathieson was fond of rowing and boxing, and led an athletic life. He was well known it\ Aucklnad. and the sympathy of a wide circle of acquaintances will l. ( > extended to the bereaved relatives. A particularly sad feature of the tragedy is that Mr. Longuett, husband of the lady wliom- life was lost in Mich tragic cireum>tanees, i> a member of the crew of the Naval Department's nil tanker. Nueula, which vessel is due in Auckland from San Pedro on Wednesday, April 27.

Mr. Walby lost several pound* in money during his struggle to keep afloat, and a suitcase, containing clothing and hand bags belonging to the ladie-C :um> disappeared. Today Constables Dollllellv .-ii!,! Chaleiiilt, of the Queen's wharf p.iii.-.-depot, are searching for ihe tin. . ' •' . Mr. Noyes i> assisting them.