NAVAL WHALEBOAT CAPSIZES

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22335, 24 February 1938, Page 13

NAVAL WHALEBOAT CAPSIZES

* INQUEST ON DROWNING OF YOUNG MAN WITNESS CRITICISES LIFESAVING GEAR (press association telegram.) WELLINGTON, February 23. Dissatisfaction with the lifebelts provided in a Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve whaleboat was expressed by a lieutenant at an inquest into the death of James Wood Jarvis, aged 17, who was drowned on November 7. It was stated that the type of lifesaving gear provided was very unpopular, as it was liable to- be caught in ropes and the ship’s gear in the event of a ■ capsize. Evidence was given that this happened in this case. The Coroner (Mr E, Gilbertson) found that Jarvis was accidentally drowned on November 7 by the capsize of a naval whaleboat in Wellington harbour, he at the time being a member of the crew. i

Jarvis was an apprentice at the Hutt railway workshops. The boat, under the command of Ligutenant Phipps, went to Somes Island and capsized in rough weather on the way back. Jarvis’s lifebelt caught in the rigging and he was held under water for some time. He was brought _to the surface in a very weak condition and was supported, but later disappeared and was not seen again. The rest of the crew had a very trying experience clinging to the boat for two hours and a half, before being rescued by a launch.