LAUNCH FATALITY

Greymouth Evening Star, 30 July 1946, Page 6

LAUNCH FATALITY

TWO OCCUPANTS BELIEVED DROWNED SWAMPED OFF GREYMOUTH Putting to sea from Greymouth under conditions totally . unsuited for their small craft, two occupants of a motor launch were apparently drowned off Cobden beach early last evening. The victims are believed to be: — Alan Wright Ducker, aged 29, single, a trucker employed at the Liverpool State mine, who resided at Chapel street, Greymouth. Joseph Hazeldine, aged 51, married, a painter, who resided at 9 Herbert street, Greymouth. In the case of Ducker, the owner of the boat, identification is positive as the result of marks in a coat which was washed up on the Cobden beach. In the case of Hazeldine, however, the only means of identification is a hat, also washed up. This has been identified as belonging to Hazeldine by a member of his family and it has been established that he has not been seen since he left his home yesterday afternoon. A police patrol is being maintained on the beaches north of Greymouth. Reason for Trip Unknown Ducker had resided in Greymouth for about nine years and had had experience on coastal trading boats. Hazeldine had had little or no experience of handling small craft and so far there has been no explanation of why the men attempted to put to sea under the conditions prevailing and shortly before darkness. Hazeldine is married and has two adult daughters. He was formerly a taxidriver at Greymouth. Described officially as a “moderate sea,” conditions on the bar when the launch passed down the river were rough, with a lift of seven to eight feet. They were considered by harbour officials to be dangerous for a small boat and when the launch was observed, about 5.30 p.m., making down the river, the officer on duly at the signal station signalled, by hand, that it should not attempt to negotiate the bar.

Signals Ignored. These signals were either not seen or were ignored by the occupants of the launch and it proceeded out to sea, safely negotiating the bar on the outward journey. Soon after, however, it was observed that it was in difficulties and it was forced northward by the heavy seas, towards the Cobden beach. Once in the heavy surf north of the breakwater, the launch was quickly swamped and partly broke up. The fact that a launch was in difficulties over the bar had been reported by the signalman to the police and a patrol was sent to the Cobden beach.

Washed Ashore. Later in the evening, the launch hull came ashore near the North Beach stone crusher and was secured by the police. Other wreckage, a coat, the property of Ducker, and a hat were recovered by the police. Ducker had spent considerable time in reconstructing the launch which he had purchased about 18 months ago. It was a 22-footer, cabin type, and the engine was transferred from a smaller boat which was engaged in fishing from Greymouth for some time. Removable fittings were salvaged from the launch by the police and the Customs Department this afternoon took over the hull.