BRAVE MAN'S SWIM.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20482, 6 February 1930, Page 14

BRAVE MAN'S SWIM.

A FIVE-MILE STRUGGLE.

SHARK-INFESTED WATERS. LOSS OF THREE LIVES. [FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.! SYDNEY. Jan. 30. From Perth comes the story of a yachting tragedy enriched by a narrative of the bravery of the sole survivor, a young solicitor, Gordon Bede Darcy. In the dark, through shark-infested waters, Darcy swam for live miles in a vain effort to bring aid to his comrades. The swim against a strong current took five hours, and during most of the time Mr. Darcy suffered from cramp. Still, remembering the plight of the three men who he left clinging to the waterlogged craft, he refused to give in.

As Mr. Darcy neared tho shore of Rottncst Island ho was dashed against the rocks, and battered and bruised, he landed on the beach. Then ho struggled to a nearby house and told the occupants what had happened. Boats were quickly launched, but they failed to find any trace of the missing men—Laurie Firth, Phillip Garnet Summers and Josepf Boucock, all young men. All the men, with the exception of Mr. Boucock, were able swimmers, and Mr. Summers, the skipper of the 20ft. yacht Wattle, was an able yachtsman. The reason for the tragedy is unknown. The yacht in which tho men were sailing did not strike a rock or a reef. About midnight, . when half-way between Rottnest Island and the mainland, the yacht sprang a leak.

A Strenuous Fight. The men soon realised the seriousness of the position, but they were nob prepared to see the foundering of tho vessel within a few minutes. Yet that is what happened. They all fought strenuously to prevent the inevitable. Kerosene tins were used to bail out the water, but all to no avail. The yacht filled rapidly and sank, leaving only a small portion above the water.

Messrs. Summers, Firth and Boucock stayed with tho yacht, clinging to tho mast and boom, which were visible above tho water, and Mr. Darcy agreed to strike out for tho shore. Mr. Boucock. seemed to realise that there was no hope for him, and ho said almost cheerfully, "Good-bye, boys." Mr. Darcy could see the beacon light off Rottnest, and he made straight for that. He had a fearful si niggle, and was practically exhausted when he reached the island settlement. As soon as day broke an aeroplane assisted in the search, but no trace couKl bo found of the men who had been left behind.

Mr. Darcy's Remarkable Teat. It was subsequently ascertained that on the trip down the river the yacht went ashore, and that may have caused a strain in the seams. It is also thought that recent hot weather may have opened the seams. Still, it is difficult to discover why the yacht should have opened up so suddenly "and sank with such little warning. Tho locality in which the tragedy occurred is noted for the number of sharks seen tjicre, and it is feared that the men who lost their lives may have suffered a dreadful fate. It is considered remarkable that Mr. Darcy was able to reach the shore. Not 'taking into account the sharks, his swim to safety was.a remarkable one.