FATAL BOAT ACCIDENT.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3844, 12 November 1883, Page 3

FATAL BOAT ACCIDENT.

3 A boat accident of a most melancholy and i fatal character occurred at the Spit last F evening, Avhich resulted in the loss of three ; lives, "it appears from what avo can gather • of the sad event that the captain, first and third officers, two seamen and an apprentice i of tho ship Pleiades were all proceeding to i their vessel in the captain's gig about G • o'clock last cveniiur, the wind at the timo blowing fresh from N.E., and a strong tide i-iinnin'ir. When abreast of tho Rangatira bank a'heavy sea caught the boat, upsetting her, and throwing her occupants into the water. The accident happening to bo witnessed from the shore by Mr H. Kraeft, Harbor Master, and Captain Tonkin, of the barque Langstone, tho former at once made for tho pilot boat, and the latter for tho boat bolongimr to the steamer Wokn. The pilot boat avrs fortunately lying ready for use, and was the first to arrive at the scene of tho accident. Mr Kraeft, just before arrival, observed the six men struggling in the Avater, but a heaiy wave immediately afterwards caused two (if them to disappear from sight. Tho AVeka's boat arrived at the spot very shortly after tho pilot boat, as the former had to bo launched, and oars procured for her. At this time only four of the late occupants of the boat could be seen, namely, Captain Setten, avlio avus holding on to the boat, the chief officer, Mr Stephen, and two of tho seamen, Grey and Kirby. Grey and Stephen had an oar between them, the latter clinging to one end of it, and Grey .swimming with the blade of the oar in his teeth, the apprentice Kirby keeping himself afloat by means of the mast. Before the pilot boat, reached Grey the first mate lost his hold of the oar owing to a heavy Avave, and ho finally disappeared from sight. In an incredibly short space of time the pilot boat then succeeded iv rescuing tho other three, Capt. Setten, and Grey and Kirby, who Avere convoyed as quickly as possible to Air J. Bell's Crown Hotel, Capt. Setten having been quite unconscious, and tho two men. as might havo been expected, in an exhausted condition. Dr. Matthews was immediately sent for, and on his arrival he administered restoratives to the three men. On regaining consciousness Capt. Setten became hysterical, aud Dt* Matthews remained in attendance on him until he was sufficiently recovered to enable him to leave. A most, careful search was made by the crew of tho AVeka's boat for the other three men, the first officer, Mr Stephen, the third officer Mr Veitoh, and Seaman Kerr, but unfortunately without avail. Captain Tonkin and Constable Harvey also organised search parties and proceeded to the western side of the harbor to ascertain if the bodies of the men Avere Avashcd to tho Rangatira, bank, but without success. It appears to be only too evident that tho poor fellows were drowned close to tho scone of the accident, and their bodies carried out to sea. The greatest credit is due to Mr Kraeft, Capt. Tonkin, tbe police, and all tho other A'olunteers who Avent to the assistance of the boat's crew. Mr and Mrs Bell also, as in the case of the recent melancholy event in tho inner harbor, are entitled to the thanks of tbe community for their kindness to the survivors of yesterday's accident. Up to tho 'time of our going to press no information has been received as to any of the bodies having been found.

THE CAPTAIN'S STATEMENT.

Yesterday (Sunday) at 5 p.m. I loft tho ship Pleiades under my command Avith a crew of four men, including Air Vcitali, tho third officer, to come for tho first mate, Mr Stephen, who had been on shore since tho morning. There Avas a moderate breeze bloAving from the N.E. at.the time, Avith a little cross chop of a sea alongside the ship, but nothing to cause any anxiety or risk. After landing, and finding tho mate, Mr Stephen, waiting to go on board, I thought of making a start, as I was anxious to get on board before dark, and before the weather became Averse. I Avent to Mr Kraeft, the pilot, and asked him Avhethcrhe thought it was safe for mo to venture on board, and he replied, " I see no risk whatever." AYe both stood some time Avatehing the break ou the bar, and it appeared quite smooth. Afterwards I met Mr Murray, the coxswain of the pilot boat, and also asked him whether there was any danger in my going off. The remark he made Avas that there was a nasty jobblo on, but still no risk. AVith the authority of two such men backing- my oavii opinion, I thought it perfectly safe," so, after securing an extra bailer (a bucket) in case water should get into the boat, I made a start, but before doing so I told Mr Stephen, tho mate, that ho could remain on shore if ho Avishcd, but he profeired going Avith me. AYe left tho Avharf at 5.40, and all Avont Avell, and we had got well outside of tho bar, Avhen a heavy roller struck the boat on the starboard bow, and this, assisted with the ebb current, caused the boat to capsize, and avo Avere all submerged in the Avater. In coining to I. struck out for tho boat, Avhich avus bottom up, and succeeded in getting hold of the keel, but Avas frequently knocked away by the hca\/ rollers, which appeared to rise up very suddenly. Had it not been for tho promptitude of "Air Kraeft, tho pilot, and his crew, I must have been drowned, as I could not have held on another minute, and I cannot sufficiently express my gratitude to him and those avlio so kindly came to our assistance. I have to regret the loss of two Avorthy officers and a mo'jt able and efficient seaman, all young men full of promise.