OFFICER DROWNED

Greymouth Evening Star, 1 February 1926, Page 4

OFFICER DROWNED

EVIDENCE AT INQUEST.

(Per Press Association.) );

WANGANUI, 30.

The inquest concerning the drowning of Robt. William Batty, officer of the s.s. Kumara, disclosed that he was sent ashore by the First Officer with a crew of four able seamen to pick up Captain Christie. He was told to keep a mile to the northward of the North Mole so as to allow for leeway. That order was not carried out. The boat was a mile south of ’the South Mole before they lowered Hie sail and rowed up to the entrance, which is 600 feet wide. They came in about 200 feet off the South Mole. Apparently the men were tired after their strenuous rowing and they ceased operations 100 yards from the entrance. The boat was caught in a strong ebb tide, and a swell caused by a northerly wind, and crashed on. the rocks. Deceased gave the order “Look out for yourselves, lads! Climb the piles!” For a time deceased managed to hold on to the piles, but he was washed away by* the heavy sea, and was last seen about 20 yards from the mole, trying to reach the mast, of the boat. He was wearing an overcoat on top of his uniform at the time of the accident. The evidence also disclosed there Was no life line at either end of the South Mole.

The Pilot explained that on account of thefts they could not. keep them, there.

The verdict was that death was due to dr.owning, as the result of an accident to the boat while negotiating the channel. There was little doubt that the accident unfortunately was due to an error of judgment in the course taken. The Coroner also commented upon the lines being stolen from the moles.

A GIRL’S BRAVERY.

WANGANUI, January 30.

A verdict of accidental drowning was returned in connection with the double drowning fatality at Putiki on Thursday, whereby two girls, Elizabeth McLean and Cicely Leigh, lost their lives. The Coroner referred to the heroism displayed by Cicely Leigh. He said that she was a brave little soul who gave her life to save her friOnd. The Coroner also praised the action of two women who could /not swim, but who joined hands and walked in up to their necks in an endeavour to effect a rescue. He recommends that the facts be placed before the Royal Humane Society.

YACHTSMAN DROWNED.

AUCKLAND, February' 1.

George Lowson, 45, resident •o£ Thames, fell from the yacht Wanderer between Flat Island and Osterid on Saturday afternoon and was drowned. Five men on a launch saw Lowson struggling in the water some distance astern.- and rowed back in a dinghy, but Lowson had disappeared and was hot seen again. Lowson was single. ’ ......