A MAN DROWNED.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1264, 21 May 1896, Page 17

A MAN DROWNED.

A bricklayer's labourer named Charles Hook, employed by the Public AVorks Department, fell off the launch Ellen Ballance on Tin * lay morning as she was proceeding to Shelly Bay, and was drowned The accident occurred about half way between Point Jerninghain and tho Shelly Bay AVharf. Soon after leaving tho Railway AVharf Captain McCauley, in command of the launch, requested the deceased to go below, as there was a heavy sea running at the time, but he declined, as lie said it was too close there. Ho was thou standing at tho stern of the vessel. AVhen midway between the point and Shelly Bay wharf Captain AlcC iuley happened to look round, and saw Hook struggling in the water astern. Tho vessel was immediately put about, lifebuoys wero thrown out and every effort made to save the man. Torpedomen Gauntlet and Graham jumped into the water and got hold of Hook, but in consequence of the heavy seas washing over them, they had to desist from their efforts, and Hook was drowned. Gauntlet and Graham, who wore much exhausted, wero afterwards rescued by a boat from the Torpedo Station. The deceased was a middle-aged man, and leaves a widow and one daughter, who reside in Park street. It was only late in tho afternoon that Afra Park heard tho sad news.