EPIC SWIM

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 32, 7 February 1930, Page 9

EPIC SWIM

SHARK-INFESTED WATERS

(From Our Own Correspondent)

SYDNEY, 30th January.

From Perth comes the story of a yachting tragedy enriched by a narrative of the bravery of the sole survivor, a young solicitor, Gordon Bede Darcy. In the dark, through shark-in-fested waters, Darcy swam, for five miles in a vain effort to bring aid to his comrades. The swim against a strong current took five hours, and during most of tho time Darcy suffered from cramp. Still, remembering the plight of the three men whom he left clinging to the waterlogged craft, he refused to give in. As he neared the shore of Kottnest Island he -was dashed against the rocks, and battered and bruised, ho landed. on the beach. Then ' he struggled to a nearby- house and told the occupants what had happened. Boats were quickly launched, but they failed to find any trace of the missing men—Laurie Firth, Phillip Garnet Summers, and Joseph Boucock, all young men.

All tlie men, with the exception of Boucock* were able swimmers, and Summers, the skipper of the 20ft yacht Wattle, was an able yachtsman. The reason for the tragedy is unknown. The yacht in which the men were sailing did not strike a rock or a reef. About midnight, when half-way between Kottnest Island and the mainland the yacht started to make water. The men soon realised the seriousness of the position, but they were not prepared to see the foundering of the, vessel within a few minutes. Yet that is what happened. They all fought strenuously to prevent the inevitable. Kerosene tins were used to bail out the water, but all to no avail. The yacht filled rapidly and sank, leaving only a small portion abovo the water.

Summers, Krth, and Boucock stayed with the yacht, clinging to tho mast and the boom which were visible above tho water, and Darcy agreed to strike out for tho shore. Boucock seemed to realise that there was 'no hope for Mm, and he said almost cheerfully, "Goodbye, boys." Darcy could see tho beacon light off Eottnest, and he made straight for that. He had a fearful struggle, and was practically exhausted when he reached the island settlement. As soon as day broke an aeroplane assisted in tho search, but no trace could be found of the men who had been left behind.

It was subsequently ascertained that on the trip down the river the yacht went ashore, and that may have caused a strain in the seams. It is also thought that recent hot weather may have opened tho seams. Still it is difficult to discover why the yacht opened up so suddenly and sank with such little warning. The locality in wl/jh tho tragedy occurred is noted for the nunibei of sharks seen there, and it is feared that the men who lost their lives suffer Vi a dreadful fate. It is considered remarkable that Darcy was able to reach the shore. Not taking into account the sharks, his swim was a remarkable one.