Double Drowning Tragedy

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 6839, 21 April 1932, Page 7

Double Drowning Tragedy

Fishing Launch Swamped TRAGEDY ON WAITARA J3AR Per Press Association. NEW PLYMOUTH, April 20. At 10.30 this morning two men wore drowned on this Waitara Bar when entering the river in the launch Swan. The victims were: CAPTAIN HALCROW, of Waitara, of the auxiliary ketch Kapui.

A. ALLEN, fisherman, of New Plymouth. The engineer of the Kapui took the ketch out to the rescue, but without success. Wreckage of the launch had already come ashore.

No Trace of Missing Men LAUNCH A COMPLETE WRECK Per Press Association. NEAV PLYMOUTH, Last Night. The fishing launch Swan was swamped in an attempt to cross the AA’aitara river bar at 10 o’clock this morning, and two men were drowned. One of the victims, Captain Robert lialcrow, aged 40, of AVaitara, was master of the oil vessel Kapui, trading between AA'aitara and Mokau, while Alfred Allen was a fisherman. Captain Haicrow leaves a widow and son, and Allen a widow and three children.

The launch, which 1 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 AMaitara 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 deck-house and rudder were washed ashore separately, and for half a mile the beach was strewn with largo hapuka. Search parties failed to find any trace cf the missing men. That the boat was in difficulties was seen from the beach, and an alarm was sent into AVaitara. The vessel Kapui at onco went to render assistance under the charge of the harbourmaster (Captain AVood). Before they left, however, another messago was received that the launch had capsized and was drifting near the beach.

The Kapui crossed the bar, on which heavy seas were experienced, making the vessel roll to an alarming extent. After a fruitless search for the men the Kapui returned to the wharf. AYhen a life-saving squad and others arrived on the beach all that could be seen of the Swan was a foot of mast above tho water between the waves. After mid-day tho remains of the boat wero high and dry. An inspection revealed that the deckwork and inside fittings wero all gone, and that there was a great hole in the side. The engine appeared to be intact, while the sails were in position and were furled.