FATAL ACCIDENT IN LYTTELTON HARBOR.

Grey River Argus, Volume XIV, Issue 1717, 4 February 1874, Page 3

FATAL ACCIDENT IN LYTTELTON HARBOR.

-A- »ad accident occurred in Lyttelton Harbor on Monday night, resulting in /.'.the:, drowning of one tad : and narrow escape of four other persons. It appears

the ship Pleiades' boat came ashore on that evening with some empty casks to obtain a supply of water. Being unable to get any, the boat was on her way back to the ship, and under sail. This was Bhortly after eight o'clock, the wind at the time blowing very squally from N.W. When off the breakwater, the boat lay becalmed, having no steerage way on her. A heavy squall, which, owing to the darkness, the occupants did uot ccc coming on them, caught the boat and caused her to heel over, and, before she could be brought up on to the wind, she filled, and, being stone ballasted, Eank. Of the five persons in the boat (one of whom was the mate in charge) three could swim. The mate caught hold of one lad who could not swim and held him up ; the other, a lad named Banks, sank and was drowned. The accident was seen by some young men who were fishing about 200 yards away, who rowed instantly to the spot, and succeeded, fortunately, in rescuing those who were still afloat. Great praise is due to these parties, for had it not been for their timely aid, the whole of the men would have met with a watery grave. As it was, the lad who was holding on to the mate was caught by the hair of his head, just as he was sinking.