DROWNING ACCIDENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9131, 13 August 1888, Page 5

DROWNING ACCIDENT.

A PASSENGER LOST AT SEA. Ox Saturday forenoon a fatal accident occurred during the trip of the Northern S.S. Co.'s lona from Mercury Bay, by which a man named George Connor fell overboard and was drowned. At half-past ten a.m. the steamer left Mercury Bay, and about an hour later, when the ship was passing through the Hole in the Wall (inner passage), all hands were on deck. Captain Amodeo was at the end of the bridge, directing the second mate, who was at the wheel, how to steer, as the passage is a narrow one and the crow were engaged washing paint work on the main saloon bridge, under the supervision of Mr. West, the first mate. All at once a passenger named George Connor unshipped one of the iron rods which secure the gangway to the rail, remarking to another passenger as he did so, " Would not this make a fine walking-stick ? " The ship's hoy, who was cleaning some brasswork near, drew the mate's attention to Connor's unshipping the rod, but before anyone could prevent him, Connor fell overboard, having leant on the gangway, which swung outwards with his weight. At the time none of those on the bridge were more than 21) feet distant from him, and one passenger was within two feet of him, but the accident happened so quickly that Connor was overboard before he could be grasped. An alarm of " Man. overboard " was at once given, and a lifebuoy thrown to Connor, but he failed to grasp it. Captain Amodeo immediately gave orders to stop the steamer and reverse the engines to full speed astern, and lower away a boat. This was done with all haste, and the captain directed the mate, who went in the boat, how to pull for the man, as he could plainly see him from the top rail of the flying-bridge. When the boat gob within about fifteen yards of Connor, however, he sank, and was not seen afterwards, and the mate returned to the ship after picking up the man's hat and the life- , buoy. Captain Amodeo then directed the mate to go ashore and inform one of the settlers who lives near by of the accident, and tell him to keep a sharp lookout for the body, in case it might be washed ashore. The settler readily promised to do so. As no trace could be seen of Connor, the lona then proceeded on her voyage to Auckland, fully an hour having elapsed since the man fell overboard. On her arrival at the wharf Captain Amodeo acquainted Sergeant Clarice, of the water police, of the accident . and gave into his charge the swag belonging to Connor. Connor is believed to have been a bushman, arid it is thought that he has a brother residing in Auckland.