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Otago Daily Times, Issue 1117, 20 July 1865, Page 5

Melancholy Boat Accident. —An inquest was held at Mornington, on Thursday evening, by Mr Candlcr, on the body of Mr Charles Rielly. The deceased has been for some few months past acting a:* lay-reader in connection with the Rev James Glover of St. Pefer's Church, of Mornington. It appeared from the evidence that the deceased had been to the Bass, Western Port Bay, on Saturday last, in company with Mr Lee, of French Island, to perform religious service, and was returning on the folbwing Monday with the same gentleman, in an open boat; that when near the island the boat was capsized by a sudden squall, precipitating both into the water. They clung to the side of the boat. After a time the deceased's hands becoming benumbed, he proposed to his companion that, as he was a good swimmer (Mr L?e could not sniirn), he should strike out for the shore, about Jhree-quartera ot a mile off, and bring relief for Mr Lee. He took with him an oar. After swimming a short distance, Mr Lee pushed towards him the other oar. A hail-storm, coming on, Mr Lee lo3t sight of him; but about an hour afterwards he again saw him, and noticing that he was not heading in the right direction, shouted to him to alter his course. After this, darkness coming on, he saw bun no more alive. The next morning he was found some distance from the shore, In shallow water. The jury returned a verdict of "Accidentally drowned." Mr Lee appears to have had a very narrow escape. He clung to the boat till succour came from the island; he had been in the water five hours, and when taken away had become insensible. — Argus.