SAILOR AND DOCKHAND HURT

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 108, 10 May 1927, Page 8

SAILOR AND DOCKHAND HURT

ACCIDENT AT DEVONPORT.

UNEXPECTED FALL OF ANCHOR.

A bluejacket, Ernest Percy Parton. aged -39, and a dockhand, Allan McDonald, are in hospital as the result of the accidental release of a two and a-half ton antfior when H-M.s. Veronica was being floated into Calliope Dock yesterday afternoon. At the time of the accident, Parton, together with four other sailors, was in a cutter alongside the warship. The sloop's anchor was secured at the bow with a wire rope, the cable having been detached, but was accidentally released when the cutter was almost directly below.

Being struck a glancing blow by the anchor, the cutter immediately overturned, throwing the five bluejackets into the water. Jt wag at once seen that Parton had been hit by the anchor, and that he was in severe pain. Fortunately he succeeded in keeping his head above water until he was assisted out oi the dock.

When the anchor was released, McDonald, who was on the deck of the warship, was caught by a rope and thrown down.

On examination at the hospital it was found that Parton was suffering from injuries to his head and shoulders and McDonald from a fracture of the leg. Parton was X-rayed to-day.