Killed By Whale

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30035, 21 January 1963, Page 11

Killed By Whale

(N2. Press Assoctettoa—CopvrighO

SYDNEY, Jan. 20. A 70ft hump-backed whale smashed a fishing launch to pieces, killing one occupant and nearly drowning another, about three miles off Coogee beach, Sydney, today. The dead man. William Morris, aged 64. of Clovelly. h. d feared for years that he would strike a whale while fishing His companion. Mr Arthur Barrett, aged 39, of Mainville, tried desperately to save Mr Morris Seconds after toe whale smashed their 13ft boot. Mr Morris, who was floundering in the ehoppy sea. called out. *Tm going. Mr Barrett grabbed him by the hair and held him until

a launch eame to the rescue. The accident happened about 6.30 a.m. tn brilliant sunlight Neither of the two men saw the whale until they were spilled into the sea. Mr Barrett said: “The boat was thrown into the air and we were spilled from it and then it jute disappeared under water. “There was a tremendous explosion and I found myself in the water staring up at the giant tail of the monster. I could not tain my eyas ofl it" Mr Barrett owes bis life to another fisherman. Mr Jack Banning, aged 52. of Randwick, who was in his 14ft launch, the Grey Ghost, half a mile away, and came to the rescue. Mr Morris, an amateur fisherman all his life, was a foreman carpenter with toe Bandwick Council and was due to retire in June.