DROWNING AT THE QUEENSTREET WHARF.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 7081, 28 July 1884, Page 5

DROWNING AT THE QUEENSTREET WHARF.

Shortly after three o'clock on Saturday afternoon, James Tbomaa, engine-driver, belonging to tho ship JBangitiki, was drowned at the Queen-street "Wharf under the following circumstances :—Ho had been np the town, and was in the aet of orosiing the ship's gangway to go on board. When half-way across ho mitacd his hold of the gangway, and losing his balance toppled over the ropes into the sea. Mr. Newman, seoond mate, and Daniel Lee, seaman of the Ran gi tiki, with a promptitude which was beyond aU praise, immediately jumped overboard after Thomas, and getting hold of him beforo he sank, held his head above water till the chief officer, Mr. Badd, who jumped into tho captain's gig astern could get alongside them. A rope was thrown from the ship, and being passed round the waist of Thomas, ho was slung upon deck, and carried to the cabin, where restorative measures were at once adopted, Captain Millman meanwhile sending the steward for Dr. Wilkins. Although the unfortunate man showed signs of life when removed from the water, all efforts at resuscitation failed. Dr. Wilkins wss speedily on tho spot, and expressed the belief that the cause of death was apoplexy, but would not giro u certificate to that effeot. It is not known whether deceased struck any of ths. stringers of tho wharf in going down. The only wound apparent is a small abrasion on the temple, from the statement made to the Water Police, it would seem that deceased was under the influence of liquor at the time. He has no relatives in the colony. His wife died lately at home. The body was removed to the morgue to await the usual inquest, which will take place to-day.