ACCIDENT IN AUCKLAND HARBOUR.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15986, 31 January 1914, Page 3

ACCIDENT IN AUCKLAND HARBOUR.

A DISASTROUS TRIP. LAUNCH SHIPS A WAVE. TWO PEOPLE DROWNED. IPeb United Press Association ) AUCKLAND, January 30. A party of nine young poopl-u. including four ladies, while returning ill a motor lauucli from a trip in the gulf, encountered a heavy sea oil Takapuna Beach. The launch shipped a big wove, and Mies Myrtle Rowan and Ray Bevins were washed overboard. The launch was stopped, and W. Good and Robert Gordon dived overboard. Bevins was got aboard, but IU itss Rowan and Gordon were drowned. The launch cruised about a long time, searching in the dark without success. Miss Mary Rowan, a sister of the girl who was lost, is in a state of severe hysteria in consequence of the tragedy, and her condition is causing anxiety. Gordon was 24 years of age, and a eon of Mr Samuel Gordon, contractor. Miss Rowan was 18 years of age, and was a daughter of Mr R. llowan, agricultural inspector. Both resided in Mount Eden Borough. The launch party coiisistcd of Myrtle Rowan, Mary Rowan, Hazel Taylor (Takapuna), Alice Gray (Northcote), Messrs B. Cowley (Ponsonby), Ray Bevins, Robert Gordon, W. Good, Rickards, Noel Cole, and Robert Cole. Further details show that opposite Lake Takapuna, the launch was tossing about considerably. Three of the ladies were seasick and went below, leaving Myrtle Rowan, Bevins, and Gordon on top of the cabin. It started to rain heavily. Gordon went into shelter. Bevins was arranging a tarpaulin to shelter Miss Rowan and himself, when a big sea came on board, or the launch gave » lurch, and Miss Rowan and Bevins went overboard very suddenly. While Bevins supported Miss Rowan in the water the launch was brought about. When the launch was near them, W. Good and Robert Gordon, the latter carrying a lino, dived Ra-in was falling, and a heavy sea running. " They both came alongside of us," said Bevins 'in his statement to the police last night. " Gordon said : ' All right, I have n-ot a rope.' I don't remember anything more until I found myself lying on the floor of the launch." Good said : "The boat Tanged alongside of us. Gordon came alongside of the girl. As far as I know he was trying to tie the rope around Tio/r when Bevins and mvself were pulled aboard by the others on the boat. Miss Rowan and Gordon were carried away out of our sight. e had a dinghy strapped on board. The stTap was nntied and tlie dinehy lowered, but ehe was carried away by the sea.'

ADDITIONAL DETAILS. CFkom Ovn Own Cobresfondknt.) AUCKLAND, January 30. = The circumstances surrounding the fatality are particularly distressing. After visiting Deep Creek the party was returning, and had reached the Rangitoto channel. There was a big sea and a strong wind and the ladies of the party were, with the exception of Miss Mvrtle Rowan, soon seized with sea sickness. So violent was the tossing of the craft in the heavy seas that ono by one the girl 6 went below, until only Miss Myrtle Rowan remained on deck. Most of the men also sought shelter in the cabin, M'Ray Bevins remaining on top with Miss Rowan. Mr Gordon had just gone below when a heavy rain squall swept up, and Bevins proceeded to fix a tarpaulin to protect the two of them from the weather. He had just got it rigged to his satisfaction and the two were seating themselves under the shelter when an unusually heavy sea struck the launch, causing her to plunge wildly, while, at the same time, a cataract of water puared across the deck, and the next moment both were struggling in the water. The launch was at once put about, and one of the crew cut the fastenings of the dingy which was secured on deck, with the intention of launching it, but in the heavy sea-way it broke clear and was swept away. There was a lifebelt on the launch, but in the excitement no one anpears to have thought of it. As the boat approached the two who were struggling in the waves Good sprang overboard and swam towards them, while a moment or two later Mr Gordon dived over holding the end of a rope, the other end of which was either made fast to the launch or grasped by one of the crew. Gordon reached the girl and attempted to fasten the rope round her body, while the launch ranged alongside the other two men, who were hauled in over the side, Bevins being in a. very exhausted condition. While this was happening the rop& in some way got loose from the launch, which was swept away from Mr Gordon and Miss Rowan, both of whom had disappeared. Half an hour was spent with the aid of the searchlight in sweeping the locality of the accident, but with no result. It was then decided to continue the journey to Auckland, and immediately upon arrival at the wharf, about nine o'clock, the accident was reported to the water police. The death of Mr Gordon has caused quite a gloom among athletic circles and in the New Zealand Insurance Office, on the staff of which he was very popular. He was an enthusiastic cricketer and footballer, and last season captained the Auckland representative B team which visited Taranaki, while he was a prominent member of the Eden Cricket Club, and only last Saturday played for Eden against Ponsonby. He was 24 years of age, and was the son of Mr Gordon, of the well-known contracting firm of Gordon and Mays. Like the otheT male members of the party, he was a good swimmer. It is stated that he had recently become engaged to Miss Mary Rowan.