Sad Boating Accidents

Grey River Argus, 17 December 1904, Page 3

Sad Boating Accidents

(PER PRESB ASSOCIATION-) TIMATiU, Dec. 10. , The Anniversary holiday passed off well as regards sports, picnics, eh:. The weather was fine till the afternoon when a honvy squal with rain eamo on. The squall struck a couple of fishing boats in the roadstead. One goad sized sailing boat and another a small onen boat with a mast larger than the boat aid occupied by Christopher Gruhn and Harris, fishermen, was driven ashore and struck the Patiti reef a few hundred yards from the ( beach. Gruhn sprang overboard, but Harris sat fast and cut away the mast. The boat drifted and Gruhn struggled a long time in the water- Efforts were made from the sbore to save him but failed, aud he sank after some time. A boat from the harbour came up and rescued Harris uninjured. They were unable to find Gmhn'sbody. v The other boat which was quite unfit to' stand the heavy weather had a Scandanavian waterman named Johnston, nnd two young lads n uued Mills. Nothing has been seen of them. An oil launch went out nnd searched till dark, and the search will bo continued at daylight. Grave doubts are entertained for their safety.