FATAL BOAT ACCIDENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 7947, 2 December 1886, Page 5

FATAL BOAT ACCIDENTS

i Russell, November 10. While a party of cricketers belonging to the Obaewai team, who had been playing against Knssell on the 9th, were returning bomb, they were caught in a sudden squall off the entrance to Waitangi, and the boat capsized, precipitating all into the water (about 7ft deep). There were in the boat Messrs McNamara, the brothers William, Louis and Addison Goffe, and two Natives. They were’seen from Mr Busby's estate by two men, who hastened to their rescue, but they only succeeded in saving four, viz., William and Louis Goffe, McNamara, audoneNative, Addison Goffe and a Native named Tarara being drowned. The sad affair has oast a gloom over the district, and is especially felt by the Russell team, with whom they were playing yesterday. Messrs Louis and William Goffe divested themselves of clothing while in the water, and did their best to save the others. The Native who is drowned clung to Louis Goffe, and was very nearly dragging him nnder also. The cause of the accident is said to bo that the sheet was fast at the time of the squall. The search party organised by the police have just returned, but can find no trace of the bodies, although they have been grappling for six hours. It is said that Mr McNamara lost his reason for some time after the accident, and the poor fellow seems dazed yet. Invercargill, November 10.

William Weir, 24 years old, a billiard marker, was drowned at the Bluff on Mon. day night. Deceased, in company with several companions, was going down the wharf when his hat was blown, off. Weir launched a dingy in order to recover hia hat. There was no rowlocks, and only one oar in the boat. After getting into the dingy, he waa hot seen again, A search party, at once manned a whaleboat, and proceeded round the harbor in the hope of being able to discover some traces of the boat and the occupant, but nothing was seen of either.

THE HEATHCOTE ACCIDENT. Chuistohubch, November 10.

Yesterday afternoon six young people— William Stewart, 24 ; Charles Cotton, 16 ; Stewart's sister, Emma, 20 ; Cotton’s sisters, Kate, 20, and Edith, 6 ; and Louisa Russell,] 18—all residents of Avonaide, were returning in a boat from Fisherman’s Flat, Heathoots Estuary, when the strong nor’wester caused the boat to roll, and .the water began to wash in. One of the girls, frightened, sprang to her feet, and the boat turned over. They all clung to the boat,, but their weight caused it to turn partly over again. The three oldest girls soon lost their hold and were drowned. Stewart lost his nerve when his sister sank, and lot go, drifting out with the tide till picked up by two fishermen, Williams and Lcndros, who live three-quarters of a mile from the spot, and on being told of the accident by two boys who saw it, started in a boat to the rescue. Cotton clung to the boat, supporting his little sister, and both were picked up. The latter, however, was dead. Several other fishermen put out to the rescue, but the other girls had disappeared. Kate Cotton’s body was recovered about 7 p.m., and Louisa Russell’s half an hour later. The young men have recovered from the effects of their immersion, though almost unconscious when rescued. Christchurch, November 11. The body of Emma Stewart, the last of the young people who were accidentally drowned on Tuesday, was recovered this afternoon in time for an inquest to bo held upon it, immediately after the conclusion of the inquest on the bodies of the two Misses Cotton and Mias Bouuday. In both inquests verdicts of accidental death were found,