SWEPT OFF THE ROCKS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20623, 23 July 1930, Page 14

SWEPT OFF THE ROCKS.

FISHERMAN DROWNED.

NORFOLK ISLAND FATALITY

[from or: it own rotiRESfONnENT.] NORFOLK ISLAND. July If,.

A drowning accident happened on (lie evening of July 11. Mr. Lucion Courtois, a single man, aged about 32, went for an evening's fishing off tho rocks near tho Blow llulo. As he made his way across a narrow neck of rock toward a small promontory, an unexpected wave swept him into the sea. Tho spot, is an extremely dangerous one, tho rocks there presenting a perpendicular lace. Encumbered ar> he was wilh extra clothing, an overcoat, and a bag of fishing gear over his shoulder, Mr. Courtois, good swimmer (hough he was, had no hope, and was quickly drowned. His dog, which was following him across the rocks, was also drowned By daylight next morning many search parlies were out, and from a launch, by means of a heavy fishing line and hooka, the body was recovered.

To bo swept off (ho rocks by an exceptionally bi;jt wave is a risk to which all fishermen on Norfolk Island are peculiarly liable. Many people have lost their lives in (his manner. Inscriptions on headstones in the cemetery and elsewhere prove that from the earliest days this has been tho ease. Thrilling talcs are told of narrow escapes. Experience shows that in brilliant sunshine, with u comparatively cairn sea, a fishing party may bo thoroughly enjoying themselves when suddenly a huge wave may spring up and tho next moment tho whole party may be battling for their lives in a boiling surf. It is (his huge, unexpected wave the wily boatmen always keep in niiud.