NAVAL TRAGEDY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 235, 4 October 1937, Page 3

NAVAL TRAGEDY.

KARAKA BAY CAPSIZE. PRAISE FOR RESIDENTS. ASSISTANCE ON SHORE. The splendid assistance given ashore by residents of Buckland's Beach after the capsize of a naval galley, with the loss of three lives, off Karaka Bay last Thursday afternoon, ■was referred to to-day by Mr. C. E. Tilby, who put out in a dinghy with Mr. H. H. Partridge and rescued five men. Mr. Tilby is a member of the staff of the Auckland City Council and on Thursday afternoon he was, in the course of his work, near Karaka Bay. He saw the galley sailing and later disappear. He went to several houses to try and borrow a pair of glasses and finally to Mr. Partridge's house, where he found that Mrs. Partridge had already sent word of the accident to th;; harbourmaster. Mr. Tilby said that when they got the rescued men to the vicinity of Buckland's Beach they received every help from the residents there. The postmaster and his wife, Mr. and Mrs. C. Farquhar. at once got the telephone going and supplied stimulants. Others who gave help were Mr. and Mrs. W. Whitehead, Mr. and Mrs. Scott, Mr. McPabarno and Mr. T. Baster. Mr. Whitehead at once drove his car to the post office when they - landed. Mr. McPabarno carried hot tea to the beach, and Mr. Baster took one man to Mr. Whitehead's house.

The St. John Ambulance officials, when they arrived, were ready to do everything possible. Mr. Tilby said that everybody helped to their fullest ability. The captain and crew of the Harbo'ir Board's launch Waitemata gave every assistance, and the officers of the H.M.S. Leander expressed the deepest gratitude to the rescuers. Mr. Tilby described the rescued seamen as true British sailors who showed their discipline throughout their trying experience. Mr. Tilby considers that commendation is also due to an unknown young man who offered to go out in the dinghy, but was replaced when Mr. Partridge decided to take the engine.