MELANCHOLY ACCIDENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 2129, 1 December 1868, Page 2

MELANCHOLY ACCIDENTS

THREE LIVES LOST IN THE BAY.

Yesterday, tho citizens wcro thrown into a sad state of excitement by the announcement that during the morning two accidents had happened, aud that in each there had been lives lost. At first the story was hardly believed, but it proved too true; and St Andrew's Day will for a long time to come be remembered with sorrow by many. The da}' opened so beautiful and bright that it created a wish for pleasure, even among those who had not before thought of it, and there was an almost entire cessation from business. But when the news of the death of three young men by drowning was told and realised, there was. no heart for enjoyment. The following are the particulars of the accidents :—

About half-past seven o'clock in tho morning two young men, Mr John Taylor and Mr William Mackintosh, went out for a row in the bay in a l.oat which they had hired. She was leaky, and when near Pelichet Bay jetty they found that she \raa filliug fast They cxeried evory effort to reach the jetty, but there being a very heavy «ea on they could not reach tho place of safety. They were also unable to bale out the boat, and as she filled she sank, and then turned over. For some time, both the unfortunate 3'oung men clung to the boat, but MrTaylor — who tow a good swimmer, struck out for the shore, and wna drowned before assistance could bo rendered. Dr. Burns and a Mr Wood were on tho jetty at the time, and they rescued Mackintosh, who had wisely continued to cling to tho boat. Mr Mackintosh is in the employment of Mr Johnston, George street, and Mr Taylor is a brother-

in-hiw of Mr Clapper!on, -Princes street, being engaged as assistant to Mr Brown, draper, Princes shvet. His tody has not yut been recovered.

At about halt-past, ten o'clock a party of six young men started from the; jetty on a pleasure excursion t;> Portobello. Their names were—Air C«m i:;;tii, of Iho Bjonk of

Oiaßo, Messrs Coiirell and JJuisson, of tho Bank of Kow Z..':danJ, Mr li. J. Macdouncll, of tho Customs, Mr Joseph Kempthorne, of :he Uar.k of Now Si.nth Wales, and «. Mr Piuwcll. Thoy wero in Mr Kempt home's boat, the Stranger, and Mr l'idwell was coxswain, tho rest pulling. It was blowing a. gale from iho S. W., and thn, with the tide running up, caused a vei y heavy sea. The boat proceeded safely to Black Jack's Point ; but there she shipped water. Mr Pidwill thought that sho was too heavy forward, aud went right aft himself, fastening the tillor lino lo his foot. Ho had. hardly done so, when a heavy sea came over tho starboard hulo, and then another struck her, and she immediately sunk, and on rising to tho surface, sho turned, bottom upwards. Mr M'Uuunell urged, upon all to stick to the beat, aud. all did so but Mr Pidwell and Mr Kempthorno. Thoy struck out for t'-o shore, each having an oar. Tlioso who remained by the boat saw Mr Kempthorno and Mr Pidwell for, as they thought, about 15 minutes, aud then one of this oars was observed to go suddenly up, and the swimmers were lost to sight. In tLo meantime, the four on the boat were in extromo danger. The boat turned over and over with them, tiie heavy seas washed ovor them and caused them, to li%o their hold, and it was with the utmost ditiicully that they managed to regain it when lost. They were fast becoming exhausted when they were observed by Mr Winlon, a resident on this sulo of the Buy. He summoned some fishermen to tho aid of Uiq men struggling m the water, aud they, with the help of some men engaged cutting a road, launched a big boat and proceeded^, to tho rescue. They arrived in time, and. all the four were saved. In taking them. ashore tho crew kept a good look out, but nothing could be seen of Mr PidwelL or Mr Kempthorno. The re.seued men. wnro taken to Mr Winton's house, and. there thoy received every attention and. kindness. Refreshments and clothes were provided for them. While they were changing their clothes, an oar, with, something clinging to it was observed, and. tho boat tveing again launched, the body of Mr Pidwell was recovered. Every attempt was made to restore Ufo, but without avail. Mr Pidwell was a native of Cornwall, was about '2,7 years of age, and had teen about soven months, in tho colony. Ho was very much, esteemed, as also was Mr Kempthorne, whose body has not yet been found. Some search was made for it, and for tho body of Mr Taylor, who was lost in the former accident, but there btin-j; such a» heavy sea on, the search was only partial arid proved unsuccessful. Tiiia morning it will be renewed, when drags aro to bet used. An inquest will, wo beiieve, bo hold to-day on the body of Mr Pidwell.