DEAD IN BOAT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 94, 22 April 1933, Page 10

DEAD IN BOAT.

MISSING BOY'S FATE.

FOUND AT POINT CHEVALIER

VISITOR FROM NELSON. After . exposure to the boisterous wind and rain of last night, a youtli of , 16 years, Frank William Taylor, who comes from Nelson, was found dead in a dinghy, which had been washed up on the Point Chevalier foreshore shortly after eight o'clock this morning. He had sailed down the Henderson stream on a fishing trip early yesterday morning, .and apparently he collapsed from exposure and died. The youth, whose parents live in Nelson; arrived in Auckland about three weeks ago to'stay with relations, Mr. and Mrs. E.J. Matthews, of Flansliaw Road, Henderson. He intended to look for work in the city. * Last year the youth was up on holiday and during that time he went on several fishing trips with a son of Mr. and Mrs. Mathews. About a fortnight ago lio sailed the email craft alone for the first time. He knew : little about yachting. About six o'clock- yesterday mor;iing he left the home of Mr. Mathews, intending to sail down to Te Atatu for a day's fishing. His craft was an Bft dinghy, with a 10ft mast and a stout, home-made sail, with sound ging-All-Night Search. Taylor was not seen or heard of all day. At seven o'clock last night he had not returned, and, fearing that there had been an accident, Mrs. Mathews got in touch with Constable Ruehton, of Henderson. The boy's description was broadcast from IYA last night. Search parties of Henderson residents were organised, settlers on the banks of the Henderson stream were advised, and although the search covered many miles, no sign of the boy or the boat was found. One party went over to the Point Chevalier foreshore, but in the dark and rain and wind they could not find the boat. Late into the night the search continued, but without result. At daybreak residents were out but_ it was not until about 8.15 this morning that the boy was found dead, face downwards, in tlie boat, which had been washed up on the Point Chevalier Beach. The discovery was made by Mr. George Fowler, of ' 01, St. Micliael'3 Avenue, a road which leads down on to the foreshore. Boat Swamped. Except for shoes and socks, the boy was fully dressed. The boat was swamped. The mas.t had carried away, and pulled with it the seat to which it was affixed. Tangled rigging and a, sodden sail trailed over the side of the dinghy. With his slight knowledge of sailing, it is thought that Taylor was caught in a squail, which carried his mast away. It is believed that he also lost his oars, these being found this morning washed up on the beach near the boa.t. Seats in the dinghy had been pulled off, and \it is believed that the youth used these in a gallant fight against the seas. It is surmised that he collapsed from exposure, and drifted through the night until his craft was washed up on the beach. An inquest was opened this afternoon, before the coroner, Mr. Wyvern Wilson, S.M., and adjourned sine die. Evidence of identification was given by Mrs. Mathews, of Henderson, an aunt of deceased. It was stated by the police that no suspicious circumstances attached to the tragedy.