A NEAR TRAGEDY

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 143, 18 June 1937, Page 15

A NEAR TRAGEDY

A DINGHY OVERTURNS

, When a dinghy overturned In the harbour shortly after midday today fears were, entertained as to the safety of its occupant, and many of those on shore had the impression that a fatality had occurred.

The capsize occurred off the end of the Clyde Quay wharf, the harbour being in a. choppy condition. Mr. G. Whitefield, custodian of the Boat Harbour, was in his office when he heard sounds of excitement outside, and, realising that 'there had been a capsize, he gave the alarm and rang the tower on Queen's Wharf. Then be got out a dinghy and rowed out of the Boat Harbour towards the overturned boat. While he was thus engaged he noticed another dinghy, pulling almost alongside. Mr. Whitefield looked over his shoulder and saw no sign of a survivor in the water. He called to the occupant of the other dinghy, "I'm afraid he's gone," "Oh, no," said the other rower, who was In a bedraggled condition, "I am the one that is missing." - ■ . A' ■

It turned out that the missing man had swum ashore, gone to the Star Boating Club's landing, procured a dinghy, and was rowing out to bring in his capsized boat. . Another craft soon appeared on the scene, this being a launch manned by Mr. S„ Bailey and his son, who had beard of the accident, and were coming to give a hand in the search, Mr. Bailey, finding no sign of a survivor in tlie water, drew up, to Mr. Whitefield and towed his dinghy back to .the boat harbour. The "missing man, presumably • brought Ms dinghy safely back to the 'Shore-