ACCIDENT IN THE HARBOUR.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1189, 14 December 1894, Page 29

ACCIDENT IN THE HARBOUR.

A BOAT BUN DOWN IN BBOAD DAYLIGHT.

An accident of a very serious nature happened in the: harbour on Saturday, Dec. 8. Fortunately it was riot attended with any loss of life, although there were .some narrow escapes.

A party of four, consisting of Messrs W. R. McKinstrey and J. Silvester, and their two sons, Gordon McKinstrey, aged 1?, and James Silvester, aged 15, were fishing from a small open boat anchored off Magazine Point. About 8.30 a.m. the steamer Orowaiti, from Lyttelton, came round Point Halswell,Jand steamed up the harbour. When the steamer was about 100 yards off, Mr McKinstrey says, he could see that she was bearing right down on them. He says, “We all called out at the top of our voices, and I waved a white handkerchief, but I could see no person on the bridge, or on the bows looking out.” He sang out to the lad Silvester to cut the painter, in order that they could get the boat clear of the steamer, which was now rapidly bearing down on them. The anchor lino was partly chain, and the lad was unable to cut it before the steamer trashed into the little vessel, striking her on the port side, just abaft amidships. McKinstrey dived off the stern of the boat, as he was afraid he would be struck by the propeller, He, however, did not escape being struck by the steamer. His son was also struck on one of his shoulders, and his ear was injured. When McKinstrey came to the surface, he says he was about ten yards off the steamer. The steamer was immediately stopped, and _a boat lowered with all possible speed.' As McKinstrey was heavily clothed he had great difficulty in swimming to his boat, which, was full of ' water. The two boys had very luckily been able to get hold of the boat, and had thus saved themselves from sinking. As sbon, however, as McKinstrey touched the waterlogged boat she turned over and disappeared, and the boys went under. She immediately rose again on his leaving go his hold, and he then managed to get the lads on to the bottom, and by “treading water” and keeping one hand on each quarter, kept the boat upright, and prevented the boys from falling off. In the meantime, Sylvester, who is unable to swim, was in great danger of drowning. He had kept himself afloat by clinging to a small paddle, but when he found his strength falling he called out to McKinstrey, “'Save me, I am drowning.” McKinstrey, owing to the heavy clothes he had on, and his own distressed condition, was unable to reach him. At this time a small boat, occupied by a man named Abbott and a lady, fortunately came to the assistance of Silvester. They held his head above water, and kept him afloat until he was picked up by the boat from the Orowaiti. He was very much exhausted when rescued. The steamer's boat had also rescued McKinstrey and the two lads.

The boat was subsequently picked up by the Union Company’s launch Kate, and the Company intend to repair her. McKinstrey lost his vest, containing his watch and chain and a gipa ef money, and

Silvester also lost a considerable sum of money. The matter has been reported to the Collector of Customs.