YACHTING DISASTER.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVI, Issue 1, 30 November 1925, Page 7

YACHTING DISASTER.

THREE PEOPLE DROWNED MELBOURNE, Nov. 29. The opening of the sailing season of the Hobson’s Bay Yacht Club was marked by a disaster resulting in three deaths. The weather was fine until the close of tho day, when a sudden and fierce storm swept the bay and caught a large yacht acting as flagship,, upon which many people were viewing the regatta, causing her to heel violently. Four prominent residents of Williamstown, Mr John Dennis, ex-Mayor and licensee of the Customs House hotel, and his wife and Mr Ward and his wife, drapers, were swept from the cockpit. Dennis was rescued in an exhausted condition.

Mrs Dennis was aged 50; Mr Ward and his wife were both aged 62. They wero later picked tip and efforts at resuscitation continued for a couple of Jiours, but were futile. * Other yachts reefed sails and were brought in through the _ storm by motor boats. —Press Association. ADDITIONAL PARTICULARS. Received November 30, 10.30 a.m. MELBOURNE, Nov. 30. The yacht, which was carrying 30 people, was struck by a storm. The crew being taken unawares, the boat heeled over dangerously, several passengers being precipitated into tho water, but owing to the skilful handling of the boat there was no panic. Although those thrown overboard were in tho water only 15 minutes, all efforts at resuscitation by the use of oxygen failed. . The victims are Michael Ward, draper, of Williamstown; his wife, Isabel, and Ellen Dennis, hotel licensee, and ex-Mayor-ess of Williamstown. The latter’s husband was also thrown into the water, but was hauled aboard again. The victims will be given a public funeral.—Press Association.

TASMANIAN TRAGEDY. YACHTSMAN SWEPT OVER. - BOARD. Received November 30, 10.30 a.m. HOBART, Nov. 30. While yachting in the Derwent river Richard Whittington, a prominent member of the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania, and a skilled rifle shot, was swept overboard by a sudden squall and drowned.—Press Association.