A Drowing Disaster.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LVII, Issue LVII, 11 April 1910, Page 5

A Drowing Disaster.

IN THE WANGANUI tfIVEBT

A LOADED BOAT CAPSIZES.

EIGHT PEOPLE LOSE THEIR

LIVES.

FATE OF TWO FAMILIES.

LPHESB ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON, April 10. A distressing drowning accident, occurred at L-asueciiit aooub noon to-day, wiicreby eight lives were lost, tlie drowned being members of two families — Ludlam and Anderson. A number of residents had arranged a picnic on the South Spit, and a hatbottomed boat was used to terry the picnickers across. The first trip was safely accomplished, and the boat left again with ten occupants. All went well until the middle of the river was reached, when a strong tide and a swell from the sea made a nasty jobble. An attempt was made to turn back, but when the boat was broadside on, it capsized, all the occupants being precipitated into the water. A fisherman on the South Spit noticed the catastrophe, and put off to the rescue. He managed to save two boys, and then saw the body of a woman floating. This proved to be Mrs Ludlam, tightly clasping one of her little children. Both were dead. The alarm was then given, but owing to the rough state of the river, dragging could not be carried out. It is expected that the bodies will be taken out to sea and washed ashore along the beach. A large party of police and residents are searching. So far as can be ascertained at present those drowned are : — Mrs Ludlam, wife of Walter Ludlam, butcher at Castlecliff, and three children, two being sons, aged eighteen and twenty years. Mrs Anderson, wife of George Anderson, working foreman at the harbor works, and four children. Included in these are Maud and Mary, aged sixteen and eighteen respectively. One Anderson and one Ludlam were saved. Both families are well known at Castlecliff, and the township has been plunged in gloom. Later, i One body has just been recovered. LIST OF THE DROWNED. I WANGANUI, April 11. Those drowned to-day were : — Mrs Ludlam ,aged 49. ! Walter Ludlam, aged 20. James Ludlam, aged 18. Claud Ludlam, aged 10. Gladys Ludlam, aged 5. Mrs Anderson, aged 48. Maud Anderson, aged 18. Ernest Anderson, aged 3. The body recovered was that of Walter Ludlam. j Mrs Xudlam was clasping Ernest An- ] derson to her breast when found.