BOAT ACCIDENT AT PORT CHALMERS.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume XIV, Issue 1887, 10 September 1885, Page 2

BOAT ACCIDENT AT PORT CHALMERS.

Five Children Drowned. A sad accident occurred at Port Chalmers on Monday morning, to which we briefly alluded, in our last issue. Captain James Ferguson (local agent for Union Co.'s steamers) accompanied by hi* sis children, and J^Trand Mrs Arthur Jackson and their two children, hired a waterman's boat for the purpose of paying a visit to Mrs Jackson, sen. (grandmother of the children) . The party proceeded down tho harbour under), sail, and after rounding Acheron llead the weather becoming squally the sail was wrapped round the mast and every precaution taken prior to the mast's being unshipped, just ' then a heavy gust suddenly striking the boat caused her to capsize and precipitate the whole of the occupants into the water. The children were, however, quickxy recovered and placed on the bottom of the boat ; but she again rolled over, and the children were a second time thrown into the water. Before assistance arrived four of Capt. Ferguson's children, named Mary, John, James, and Alexander, and Mr Jackson's daughter Christina were drowned. Several fishermen living in the bay, seeing the accident, put ofE without loss of time and succeeded in saving 1 Ma "rgie and Agues Ferguson, Mrs Jackson and her daughter Catherine, with Captain Ferguson and Mr Jackeon. Captain Ferguson is greatly exhausted, and is almost prostrate with grief at tbe accident, which is a severe blow to him, following as it does so closely on the death of his wife. Great sympathy ib expressed for those whom this. sad bereavement has so suddenly overtaken.