YACHTING ACCIDENT AT THE LAKE BEACH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 8987, 27 February 1888, Page 5

YACHTING ACCIDENT AT THE LAKE BEACH.

Seven young men, who made an excursion in the yacht Malua yesterday morning, had to do a, swim for life. The yacht ran in near to the reef at tho northern end of the Lake Beach, between ten and eleven o'clock, and cast anchor, and those on board proceeded to go on shore in the dingy. The crew of the yacht —Messrs. 11. Poison, E. Binney, G. Gilmer, B. Gilmer, B. Gold water, A. Halyday, — Swinnerton. There were seven of them, and they all crowded into a dingy, which would be pretty well loaded with three or four. The wind was blowing in pretty fresh from the north, and the dingy had not gone far from the yacht when it capsized, throwing all the occupants into the water. Fortunately, they could all swim. Four of them struck out for the shore, while three turned and swam for the yacht. Tho latter soon reached the vessel, pushing the capsized boat before them, got 011 board, hauled up tho boat and launched it again. Meantime those who went for the shore were helping each other as best they could to get over the few hundred yards that lay between them and "soundings." They were all fully clothed, which of course impeded their swimming, and the youngest of the Gilmer brothers, Benjamin, was by no means strong in the water. One of the others managed to push an oar to him, and by and by Binney aided him otherwise. Two men were near the beach at the time, but thought at first that the whole affair was a lark, as young fellows, confident in their powers, frequently capsize their dingies to give themselves swimming practice. On seeing that the matter was serious, they endeavoured to launch a boat, but were unable to drag it over the sand. Just then, however, one of the swimmers touched bottom, and in a few minutes they all got to land, young Gilmer being borne 011 the shoulders of one of his companions. Ono of them had managed to get rid of his coat in tho water, in one of the pockets of which were his shoes. Young Gilmer was taken to house of a resident on the beach, and was re-clothed, and had a slight stimulant administered. He was soon all right again. The others also had temporary unmentionables supplied till their clothes had dried, and they also had some reviving medicines furnished. One of the party had a severe fit of vomiting on reaching the shore, and declared it as his opinion that a heavy breakfast of pork sausages and a stomachful of sea water on the top of them did not agree. All's well that ends woll, perhaps. The moral from yesterday's mishap is, that it is a great mistake to overcrowd a dingy. Better take a little trouble over the job, and make two trips of it, than have a capsize.