DROWNING ACCIDENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19264, 1 March 1926, Page 8

DROWNING ACCIDENTS.

WEEK-END FATALITIES. TRAGIC END TO OUTING. LOST OVERBOARD FROM LAUNCH CHIEF STEWARD OF HINEMOA. A drowning accident occurred on the Manukau harbour early on Sunday morning, resulting in the death of Mr. Rex Edward Fleming, a married man. chief steward on the Government steamer Hinemoa, now lying at Central Wharf. It appears that the deceased joined a picnic party which left Onehunga Wharf on Saturday evening in the launch Mavis, belonging to Mr. Armor. The intention was to spend yesterday fishing near the heads. The launch was in charge of Mr. Norman Wilson, commodore of the Manukau Yacht and Motor-Boat Club, and with him Mr. Fairlev, third engineer of the Hinemoa, Mr. J. W. Evans, of H.M.S. Dunedin, and Mr. Charles Field, of Onehunga, besides two ladies. On the way down the harbour anchor was dropped at the far end of Waikowhai in a sheltered spot, but when it came on to rain all went into the cabin. This was shortly before one o clock yesterday morning and during a sharp rain squall, the deceased said he would go on deck to fasten the ventilator, down which the cold wind was driving. The rest of the party did not take much notice of his movements, but Mr. Wilson thought he detected an unusual sound, neither a call nor a splash, but sufficient to make him. rush on deck. To his horror, his guest was missing. He quickly called the rest of the party. In the brilliant light of the full moon, almost overhead, they thought they could see deceased swimming, about 25 yards away. The current was very strong, the launch being anchored just off the main channel, and the spring tide was then about half-way out. Mr. Wilson started the engine, while the others hauled up anchor, and he was soon cruising down stream. He had not dared to !eave the launch when the accident occurred, for fear that none of the others could wcrk the engine quickly, but as soon as he caught sight of what he took to be the deceased he dived overboard to assist. The floating object turned out to be Mr. Fleming's coat, and a moment or two afterwards they found that while in the water he had also succeeded in divesting himself of his overcoat, which was also floating in the ebb tide. This raised their hopes, as it is no light feat to take off two garments while in the water, but although they drifted down on the tide for two hours they could find nothing of their companion. They therefore put ashore at Hillsborough, soon after three o'clock, and telephoned to the Onehunga police, and afterwards reported personally to the constable on night duty.

Under the direction of Sergeant J. A. Cruickshank, the police made a careful search during yesterday, but with no results.

SMALL YACHT CAPSIZES. crew' thrown in water. ST. HELIERS RESIDENT DROWNED. A life was lost off Kohimarama Wharf early on Saturday afternoon when the 14foot Y class yacht Avalon 11. capsized and threw the occupants into the water. Although Messrs. V. Watson, P. Shirley, and E. Fellowes were picked up within a few minutes, Mr. Edward Millard Horlock, aged 26, of Westcliffe, Wharf Road, St. Heliers Bay, was not seen again. The Avalon 11. was to have taken part in the Tamaki Yachting Club's race, and Mr. Horlock offered his services as a member of the crew just before a start was made from St. Heliers Bay Wharf for the starting point off Kohimarama Wharf. There was a choppy sea at the time and the wind was very uncertain. The passage to the starting point was very roqgh. Just as the small vessel was abreast of the Bean Rock light a gust caught the sail and swept the boom across the cockpit. Mr. Horlock was struck on the head and appeared to have been |cnocked insensible. The others made their way toward him in an endeavour to render assistance, hut before anything could be done a wave which swept over the yacht, together with another gust, combined in capsizing the vessel. The crew were all thrown into the water, and Mr. Horlock was not seen after the capsize by his comrades, who were able to cling to the upturned boat in spite of the seas which broke over them.

The launch Caprice, with the owner, Mr. J. W. Andrews, and a party of nine or board, had just left St. Heliers Bay for a •week-end cruise when the plight of the men was seen. The launch was immediately headed for the spot," but progress was slow and it was about ten minutes' before the upturned boat was reached The dinghy was put off with difficulty and one man taken off. It proved impossible to effect further rescue with the dinghy, and the remaining two were dragged on board the launch by means of a rope. The rescue was carried out quickly under the circumstances and the men were not in the water more than about 15 minutes altogether. A rope was later secured to the Avalon which was towed back to St. Heliers Bay. Constable Thompson, of Ellerslie, was immediately notified and he made a search for the body until dark. This proved futile, however, and although the harbour was traversed for some distance on either side of the spot where the fatality occurred all day yesterday, no trace had been seen of the body when night fell.