SWAMPING OF DINGHY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19231, 21 January 1926, Page 10

SWAMPING OF DINGHY.

ISLAND BAY FATALITY.

DANGEROUS SPOT ON COAST. [BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT. ] WELLINGTON, Wednesday. Neither Peter Daly Brown, nor his friend, Albert Kendrick, had a sense of the danger they were facing when on Sunday, January 10, they set out in an open dinghy at Island Bay on a fishing expedition. The fresh southerly wind, and consequent heavy swell, was too much for the little craft, however, and Brown was drowned, while Kendrick had difficulty in reaching the rocks and remaining there until picked up by an Italian fisherman.

When the inquest into the death of Brown was held before Mr. W. G. Riddel 1, S.M., yesterday, it was shown that neither of the lads was experienced in the handling of a boat, Brown having acquired the dinghy about a month previously.

Brown was 18 years of age, and Kendrick 21. Kendrick stated in his evidence that he had never been out in a dinghy before, and although he could swim he was by no means expert in the water. The decision to go fishing was the suggestion of neither boy in particular, and as the water looked all right they had no fear of the heavy swell.

After leaving the beach the two rowed past the island and into the channel, each having an oar. Later on Brown took both oars, while Kendrick lot the fishing lines over the stern of the boat. Just exactly what happened did not appear to be quite clear to the witness, who stated that the boat was caught in an exceptionally heavy swell and capsized. "When we came to the surface," the witness continued, "the boat was nearly filled with water. We hung on for a while, and then decided to swim for the shore. I tried to get my coat off, but could not manage it. We were swimming for about ten minutes when wo both went under to a big swell, and when I came up I could not see Brown. . . . I never saw him again. " My chief concern was to keep afloat until I could get to safety and I drifted to the rocks, where 1 was rescued by ah Italian fisherman from one of the launches." It was about lOOyds. or less from the spot where they left the boat to the rock upon which witness was thrown by the sea. The evidence of the deceased's father, Shepphard Brown, was to the effect that he did not think the sea was dangerous because the water was broken—although there was a heavy swell. He knew that his son had had no experience in the handling of a boat.

Constable Baker, of Island Bay, after describing his part in the recovery of the. body—which was discovered in 50ft. of water—stated that the spot at which the accident occurred was one of the most dangerous along the coast. On the day of the fatality it was a very dangerous proceeding to take an open dinghy into the sea, because there was a heavy sea running and a stiff southerly breeze. The coroner intimated that neither of the boys appeared to have appreciated the dangers which beset their paths when they embarked upon their excursion. He returned a verdict of accidental drown- j ing- j