THE FATAL ACCIDENT AT AKAROA.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume X, Issue 16, 19 January 1875, Page 4

THE FATAL ACCIDENT AT AKAROA.

(Lyttelton Times, January 15.) The following is a detailed account of this sad accident, of which a brief telegraphic ! account waa published yesterday: — As has been already stated, the yacht Hippie, which was built at Port Chalmers, was brought to Lytteltpn to compete at the late regatta in the yacht race, which she won. Mr Sayle, who was at the regatta as captain of tbe Akaroa four-oar crew, taking a fancy to the yacht negotiated for and purchased her, got her unrigged and sent down to Akaroa by the Bruce on January 7. The day following her arrival at Akaroa,. Mr Sims, one of the survivors of the accident, commenced to re-rig her, and finished his work on the; morning of the 9th. Mr Sayle was very anxious and excited to get the wovk done bo that he could have a trial trip of bis purchase, and, accordingly, in the afternoon, himself, Mr C. Allan Nalder, Mr A. Westenra of the Bank of New Zealand, and Mr W. Sims, started for a cruise. The yacht was narrowly watched at starting and for some time afterwards by cliff erect persons on shore, as she appeared to some who understood those matters not so stiff under canvas as she had been represented to be. At starting, two reefs were taken in the mainsail, and, subsequently, another one, the jib also being replaced by a smaller sail. Tbe wind at the time was from tbe northeast, blowing rather' gustily and fresh oa the Akaroa side of t the bay; on the opposite side it appeared as if the wind was stronger. The fir&t part of the cruise was a run down the harbor past the buoy off Green's Point, then a tack was made to windward, when the yacht fetched near Tikau Bay, she was then again put about. Mr Sayle was at the tiller and holding the mainsheet in his hand, when Mr Sims, noticing that she was heeling over too much, called out to Mr Sayle to let go the sheet. As this was not done, Mr Sims twice more made the same request, but Mr Sayle was as one paralysed, looking at the others, but apparently unable to do what waa required of him. The vessel heeling over more the ballast shifted, and the yacht immediately filled and went down at, bb near as the survivors can tell, about a mile from the shore, iv some six fathoms of water. The four, who were' all swimmers, having got clear of the vortex caused by the sinking vesßel, at once struck out for the shore. Mr Weitenra and Mr Nalder being near each other, :and Mr Sims and Mr Sayle a little distance from them. Aa they swam, Mr Nalder addressed Mr Westenra more than once, and wished he could get his coat off, which Mr Westenra told him was impossible, but; kept cheering him up with hopes of iheir reaching shore safely. Mr Westenra Supposes they must have sv/am nearly half way to the shore when he heard a call from his fellow swimmer. He turned round and found he was alone, Mr Nalder having sunk to rise do more. At this time the beach was not to be seen, but struggling on, Mr Westenra at last reached the shore, exhausted and almost insensible. ' In the meantime, Mr Sims had kept near Mr Sayle, nnd they hud been swimming some time, when Mr Si:nß noticed his companion apparently losing strength, and faltering and saying that he was afraid he could not keep on. Mr Sims then swam behind nim, and catching hold of the serge coat which Mr Sayle wore, held him up whilst still swimming toward the shore, until he found they were both sinking, and that un.'ess he let go they must both go down together. Thoroughly exhausted, but reluctantly, Mr Sims lot go his hold, and shortly afterwards Mr Sayle must have sunk. At this time, Mr Sims knew nothing of the others. He had heard a cry which he thought came from Mr Nalder, but whether it was of encouragement or despair he could toot tell. Resting a little, and getting himself free from his boots, he again commenced swimming towards sb.ore, which he ultimately, with great difficulty reached, and there found Mr Westenra. After taking off and wringiug their clothes, they started for the Maori pah, and when on the hill, they noticed that Mr Bridge's yacht, the Scud, had started from Akaroa, and was making for the scene of the accident. The Maoris treated them very kindly and hospitably, making them tea, and wanting them to change their clothes, which both declined to do; the Natives volunteered also to take them to Akaroa in a dingy. A fire was then lit to draw the attention of those on board the Scud, but, owing to the peculiar haziness of the atmosphere, it ! could not be seen. However, the natives getting out their dingy took them, and, having succeeded in drawing attention, put them safely op board. Mr Nalder was well known throughout the province, but Mr Sayle was not so well known. Both gentlemen were single, and the latter held the appointment of district surveyor at Akaroa. The fatality occurred about five o'clock in the evening, and, when known, caused qnite a consternation in Akaroa, both gentlemen being held in more than ordinary respect and esteem