PERILOUS POSITION AND MARVELLOUS ESCAPE.

Press, Volume XXVI, Issue 3501, 24 November 1876, Page 3

PERILOUS POSITION AND MARVELLOUS ESCAPE.

: {Colonist, Noveaaber 11th.) On Thursday afternoon,- about three ©'dock, Mr W. Lansley, together with a youog lady, Mies Gibson- (tboth of whom were formerly resident in GFieymoutta, started from the port in the boat Eclipse, for the purpose of enjoying a sail. There was a fresh breeze blowing at the time, and when the boat, was some distance beyond the old coal hulk, Mr Lansley intended to put her aboat, and to do this he went forward to- attend to the jib, and told Miss Gibson to put the helm dowm From what we hear, the main sheet was made fast at the time, and by some mistake was not let go, that the boom of the mainsail struck Miss Gibson's hat into the water, whereupon she leant over to regain if, and in doing, so the boat listed.- Mr Laneley was also- thrown to leeward, the extra weight causing the water to rush ' over the lee gunwale till the boat filled and capsized. Mr Lansley succeeded in placing the young lady on the keel of the boat, and he aleo hung on. He tried once to swim ashore, but fear for the young lady's safety caused him to tnrn back, and they remained in their perilous state, their only change-of position being when they were washed off the boat, and this happened two or three times. At about eight o'clock Mr Joseph Gilberteon. who was passing along the Wakapuaka road,: near the cemetery, thought he heard cries for assistance from the direction of the hulk, and not being able to help from the direction of the Wakapuaka road, he hurried into town, and then to the port, where* upon his informing Mr T. Astle of what he had beard, they launched a boat and proceeded to make a search in the supposed direction of the cries, For a long time they were unsuccessful, and after they had all but given up the search, a faint cry a few-yards, ahead of them attracted their attention. They rowed up, and found the two persons earned, but Miss Gibson was so far overcome with fear and fatigue that on seeing her deliverers she fell off the boat, and was only just caught by Mr Astle. They were taken'ashore: as quickly as possible, and means adopted for their restoration. They were then driven to the Miners' Arms, where Dγ Bligh was coon in attendance, but same, time elapsed before he was able to pronounce them out of daDger. Mr Lansley and his companion must have remained in their exceedingly perilous position about fopr hours. Their escape was as narrow as possible, and the conduct of Mr Gilberteon upon hearing the* cry is deserving of all praise We fancy there are few who would have attempted to overcome so many difficulties aa lay in his way in—order to render assistance. He had to walk nearly three miles,, and tben to row about one mile. Mr AstVs prompt action w&e also most commendable, and Mr Larigley's endeavors, to save his companion were most courageous.