A BOATING TRAGEDY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19804, 1 June 1926, Page 10

A BOATING TRAGEDY.

O TWO MEN DROWNED. CRAFT UPSET ON ROCKS. (Feb United Pbebs Association ) GREYMOUTH, May 31. A tragic termination to a fishing expedition at the month of the Grey River occurred about half-past 6 last evening, when a boat was capsized on the south tip and the three occupants were thrown into the water, only one (who clung to the overturned boat) being rescued. One of the victims was Robert (“Buff”) Steele, of Blaketown, a miner employed at RHwanui, aged 45 years. The other man missing is unknown. He was a stranger to Greymouth. The survivor was John Gamble, a miner, residing in Gresson street. The tragedy occurred when the three men were returning to the mouth of the river. Although the craft was equipped, with a sail, this was not up, the men using paddles to bring it in. The boat was apparently caught by the incoming current, and was carried broadside on to the rocks at the end of the south tip head. Before the men could scramble to the shore another wave carried the boat off the rocks and capsized it, all three occupants being thrown into the water. A launch set out to the rescue. Steele was married, with seven children. The missing man’s name is said to be Dargill or Dargell.