HARBOUR TRAGEDY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22719, 4 November 1935, Page 10

HARBOUR TRAGEDY

YOUNG SEAMAN DROWNED BOAT CAPSIZES IN CHANNEL OTHER OCCUPANTS RESCUED Caught by a gust of wind in the channel between Quarantine Island and tire Peninsula, a boat in which two men and two children were sailing yesterday afternoon capsized, one man being drowned. He was WILLIAM JOHNSON, of Port Chalmers, a single man, 30 years of age, employed as a seaman. Only meagre details of the occurrence . could be obtained last night. From these, it appears that Johnson was sailing with a man named M'Cormack and two children. There was a heavy sea running and this made conditions in the. channel, through which a strong current flows, unusually difficult. Moreover, the wind was very gusty, and the small craft failed to weather a particularly strong squall, capsizing and throwing the four occupants into the water. M'Cormack was fully occupied rescuing the children and was unable to give any assistance to Johnson, who was unable to swim, and was weaving gum boots. He disappeared immediately. Several boats put out as soon as it was seen that Johnson’s craft was in trouble, and M'Cormack and the children, who were clinging to the overturned boat, were rescued and brought ashore. A search was made for the body of the drowned man, but without result. It is thought that the strong current running between the island and the Peninsula must have carried the body up the harbour. Dragging operations will probably be carried out this morning, and in the meantime a watch is being kept in case the body comes ashore. The deceased resided with his mother in Harrington street, Port Chalmers.