STRANGE DROWNING CASE.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 592, 9 August 1913, Page 5

STRANGE DROWNING CASE.

A double drowning accident took place in the Auckland Harbour on Wednesday afternoon, resulting in the death of two seafaring men, Charles Clausen and William Hindley. The body of the former was recovered, but that of Hindley has not yet been found.

Clausen was the mate of the Devonport Ferry Company's tugboat Young Bungaree, and Hindley was employed as a fireman on the same vessel. Just prior to the accident, which took place about 2.30 p.m., both men were seen in the stern of the boat locked in one another's arms, and were apparently skylarking. While thus engaged it is surmised that they fell over the side of the vessel, but so far as is known no one actually witnessed the incident. The two men were seen struggling in the water and suddenly Hindley disappeared. William Thompson and C. Ohlsen, who were at work on one of the Union Company's coal hulks, suddenly heard cries for help, and saw Clausen. struggling desperately in the water. They at once boarded the Union Company's launch and steamed some 60 : 0 yards to the unfortunate man's assistance. As they approached him he appeared to be thorouhgly; exhausted, and was sinking apparently for the last time. Witjii commendable smartness Thompson jumped into the water and succeeded in getting hold of the unfortunate* man, who was placed on the launch and at once taken to the Queen Street Wharf. Soon afterwards Dr Aickin arrived, and he tried artificial means to restore life, but withosut success.