Tragic End To Holiday

Northern Advocate, 4 October 1938, Page 9

Tragic End To Holiday

Per Press Association. Copyright.] DUNEDIN, This Day.

A tragic ending to a holiday visit to Fort Chalmers was the drowning of Jack Bowen, aged 19 years, who resided in Wallace Street, Wellington. He lost his life near Quarantine Island, about 3 o’clock yesterday afternoon.

The deceased availed himself of an opportunity to set off on a fishing expedition in a launch, which was going down the harbour.

When the launch reached its destination, Bowen and a companion, Harry Ross, aged 19, residing at Port Chalmers, went off in a dinghy to place their nets. They had got some distance away from the launch, and were engaged in their task when a heavy swell struck the rowing boat and overturned it.

Beth occupants, who were fully clothed, made an effort to reach the launch through the choppy water. Bowen became exhausted and disappeared. Ross did everything he could to rescue his companion, but his efforts were unavailing, and he was compelled to abandon his attempts and make for the launch, which he reached in an exhausted condition. The police were advised, and went to the scene, but were unable to recover the body. They will continue their search to-day. The occurrence was all the more tragic because Bowen was spending a holiday with his grandmother, and it was only by chance that he went on the expedition which cost him his life.