ARRIVAL OF H.M.S. "ECLIPSE."

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 8, Issue 713, 30 December 1865, Page 2

ARRIVAL OF H.M.S. "ECLIPSE."

H.M. s. Eclipse,. Captain Fremanlle, returned to Auckland yesterday, with the remainder of H.M. 70th Regiment, from Napier, and reports the occurrence of a very distressing accident during the - embarkation (of the men, wliyjh resulted in the death by drowning of two :i sfrgeants, a corporal, and a private cf the 70th regiment. The particulars of the accident, as courftously furnished by the officers of tho Eclipse, are briefly as follow :— lt appears the men were embarking in sin all boats ; and in order to facilitate the work, surf boats had been employed to supplement tho services of the man-o'-war'a crews. The Eclipse was anchored at a distance of almost a mile from shore, as the surf was running high at the time. A boat left for the vessel, with Captain Roger and nineteen men in it; but had not proceeded very far before she was observed to be too deeply laden, and too inefficiently manned to proceed far in safety. 'Seveval heavy breakers struck the boat, and she gradually sank beneath her living freight — leaving them battling with the waves. The boatmen saw the danger impending, and jumped into the water, before she foundered, leaving the men to their fate. Tho accident was observed from shore, from on board the man-of-war and the brigantiue Eclipse. A small boat belonging to the latter was the lirst to arrive at the scene of the disaster, and assut in rescuing the drowning men. The man-of-war's boats and boats from shore were also quickly put off, but tho distance was such that some time elapsed before the men were reached, and fifteen only out of nineteen were saved. The following were drowned whilst endeavouring to reach the shore by swimming shortly after the accident, and before any assistance could be rendered, namely : — Colour-Sergeant Fahey, Seargeanfc Eastwood, Corporal Kelly, and private Warrington, all of the 70th regiment. The deceased were all well known and highly respected by their comrades, having seen much service in tho regiment. Co-lour-Sergeant Fahey was very popular with the men, and had seen 17 years' service in the regiment. The painful occurrence has cast a gloom over tho regiment, which is about to proceed home, after hard service in this colony. Prior to the accident the men were in high spirits at the near approach of their release from active service and projected departure for England. Our informants attribute the accident mainly to the inefficiency of the men in charge of tho surf- boat, and its over-crowded state. Ifc is, therefore, to be regretted the officers in charge should have permitted any over-crowding, although, it must be said, no blame can be attributed to them in consequence of the unhappy result. • Upon the arrival of tho Eclipse in Auckland j'esterday, the men and their baggnge were debarked in the ship's boats and cargo boats, and marched to the Albert Barrack square, whence they shortly afterwards proceeded to their quarters at Olahuhu, where they will remain until embarking for Euglund on board the ships Siam and Ida Zeiglur, The following officers accompanied the men :— Captains Cay and Roarer ; Lieutenants Gresson, Whitburn, and Howard ; Ensign Leonard. There wero 154= rank and file.— Southern Cross, Dec. 22.