BOATING MYSTERY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 25 May 1936, Page 5

BOATING MYSTERY

FOUR MEN MISSING GRAVE FEARS FOR SAFETY (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) SYDNEY, 23rd May. Another boating mystery similar to the Thompsons in the same locality, according to reports, concerning the same launch, is reported. Four men who engaged a launch to go fishing on the Hawkesbury river are missing and an intensive search is being carried out. SYDNEY, 24th May.

It is now definitely established that the launch engaged by the four missing men was that formerly hired by the Thompsons, but has since been repaired. The identity of the missing men is not clearly established. They engaged the boat on Saturday morning with the object of fishing at the entrance to the Hawkesbury river. High seas and bad weather have since prevailed. Police boats are unable to search the coast and grave fears are entertained of the men’s safety. They had intended to return the launch on Saturday afternoon. A motor car belonging to one of the men, and some of their clothing, remains unclaimed at the launch proprietor’s sheds.

EITHER DROWNED OR SHELTERING

BELIEF OF THE POLICE (Received 25th May, 10.5 a.m.) SYDNEY, This Day. The police believe that the four missing men on the Hawkesbury are either drowned or they are sneltenng on Lion Island, near the mouth of the Hawkesbury river, which cannot be approached at present because of heavy seas. The missing men, who are all senior employees of the Columbia Gramophone Company (Australia, Limited), are: George Horan (42), William Haines (32), James Brownsdon (40), Sydney Maigre (40).

Two brothers, Harold Thompson, aged 36, a solicitor, and Alan Thompson, aged 32, factory manager, were missing in mysterious circumstances for a few days. They set out in a motor launch on a fishing trip up the Hawkesbury river but subsequently reported to the police that they were safe.