DROWNING FATALITY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 120, 21 April 1932, Page 7

DROWNING FATALITY.

FISHING LAUNCH AVRECKED AT AVAITARA. Per Pres 3 Association. NEAV PLYMOUTH, April 20. The fishing launch Swan was swamped in an .attempt to cross the AVaitara River bar this morning, and two men were drowned. One of the victims. Captain Robert Halcrow, aged 40, of AVaitara, was master of the oil vessel Kapui, trading between AVaitara and Mokau, while Alfred Allen was a fisherman. Captain Halcrow leaves a widow and a son, and Mr Allen a widow and three children: The launch, which was owned by E. Crabtree, of Eltham, had been at the hapuka fishing grounds 13 miles to sea, and had been expected to- make for New Plymouth on Tuesday night. The sea was too rough to enter AVaitara this morning, but the surf is not easily visible from seaward. The vessel was caught in a swirl and the open cockpit was apparently swamped by a big sea. The launch, which is 35ft. long, drifted ashore.at mid-day in a wrecked condition. The deckhouse and rudder were washed ashore separately, and for half a mile the beach was strewn with large hapuka. Search parties failed to find any trace of the missing men. An inspection of the wreckage revealed that the deck work and inside fittings were all gone, and that there was a great hole in the side. The engine appeared to be intactj while the sails were in position and were furled.