BOATING ACCIDENT.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 933, 17 January 1890, Page 13

BOATING ACCIDENT.

A YOUNG MAN DROWNED. We record with deep regret a boating accident which occurred in Evans Bay on Sunday, and which resulted in the death of a young man named Herbert Mitchell. The deceased was a son of one of the oldest settlers in Wellington, who have lived for a great many years in Abel Smith-street. He was employed in the Government Printing office, took an active part in crioket and football, and was liked and esteemed by all who knew him.

It appears that at 10 o’clock on Sunday morning three ycung men named Herbert Mitchell, Charles Oliver and John Flynn started from the boat harbour in an eighteen foot half-deoked sailing boat, for tho purpose of having a day’s sailing. At the time of starting a freßh north-west wind was blow, ing, and accordingly a reef was taken in. They had proceeded as far as Magazine Point when it was decided to put. in shore and get a false keel, and they ran down the bay for a Bhort distance, and put into Alartin’s Bay, where a piece of timber was procured from M.* Martin. The young men set to work, and accomplished their task of putting on a false keel by 4.30 o’clock. By this time the wind was blowing with hurricane force from the N.W., and Mr Martin advised them not to go out, as no boat could live in such weather. They did not heed his warning, however, but got up sail, took two reefs in, and stood out across the bay, Mr Martin, in company with Mr Jones, one of the employes of Mr It, Hannah, stood, on the b'each watching the boat, which had not gone more than 200 yards when it capsized, and all the occupants were thrown into the water. Messrs Martin aud Jones immedi. ately launched a boat, and proceeded with all possible haste to tho rescue. They reached Flynn first, but before they got to him he sank. They had not gone far when he reappeared on the surface, and they put back toward him, but before the boat reached him he began to sink again. Mr Martin caught hold of him when he was about 2ft below,the surface and pulled him into the boat. Flynn was byjthis time V6ry much exhausted, and while Mr Martin rowed the boat over to the assistance of Oliver and Mitchell, Mr Jones devoted hi 3 energies to restoring Flynn, with such success that the young man gradually recovered, Meanwhile, Oliver was keeping afloat by holding on to an oar, while Mitchell appeared to be clinging to the boat, which was going under. The rescuers reached Oliver first, and were in the act of pulling him in when they saw Mitchell, who by this time had got away from the boat, throw up his hands and sink. As he was evidently drowned, and as, moreover, Flynn’s case appeared serious, Mr Martin put back to the shore, where Flynn was attended to, and, after about half-an-hour’s work, quite recovered. Information having been given to the police, an express was sent round to - bring the rescued men into town. Oliver I lliri nnfc annpar tn Vir»v« rr»rir>Vi Vml:

Flynn was still very weak, and was attended by Dr Collins upon arrival in town. The accident appears to have been caused by the sheet being fastened. Curiously enough, when they were starting from shore, Mitchell replied joeulaily to Mr Martin’s expostulations, “ Well, if we get capsized «e shall have this piece of timber (the false keel) to hang on to.” Mr Martin and Mr Jones deserve every credit for the promptness with which they went to the assistance of the unfortunates, and the energy they exhibited throughout the affair. Mrs Martin, who has on several occasions given most valuable assistance to boating parties, put off in a boat with two boys to assist Mitchell, but were unable to save the ill-fated young man. We are requested to state that the Midland Cricket Club (of which the young man Mitchell wos a member) will not hold any practices until further notice, out of respect to the memory of their comrade. Two boats and five men, under the charge of Mr Martin, were engaged on Tuesday dragging for the borly, but without success. The men’s exertions were somewhat retarded owing to the state of the water and the rough locality where the boat is supposed to have sunk.