THE SYDNEY YACHT ACCIDENT.

Otago Witness, Issue 2080, 4 January 1894, Page 35

THE SYDNEY YACHT ACCIDENT.

EIGHT PERSONS DROWNED

The Sydney Herald of December 18 states that a heartrending scene was witnessed on Sunday at Circular quay. As the harbour boat Reliance ran alongside the jf-tty the end of Pitt street was blocked by a living, terrorstricken multitude, and the sight that presented itself then will not soon be forgotten by those who Eaw it. Looking over the iron palisade that protects the pathway outride the jetty, it was seen that naked forms were stretched upon the deck of the vessel, and anxious-faced men were bending over them working backwards and forwards tho livid limb 36f insensible victims. It was seen that they were young people who ware being rubbed, many parents amoDgst the onloukcrs who had children out in eailiDg boats ran to the police stition to ask for namep, but the latter were unable to give the information. All that could be gleaned was that a pleasure yacht had turned over between the heads with many in it, and there were four women and a man already known to have perished, two were missing and one in a precarious state had been landed at Manly ; the others were believed to be saved. The yacht Ripple was the one on which the fatality occurred. She leFt Lane Cove river in the morning in charge of her owner Mr J. Phizackerley with two others. At North Shore 10 others were taken on board. After landing at Clontarf several of those on board expressed a desire to go outside the heads, and a start was made. As there was a sea running, the ladies on board were persuaded to forego going more than a quarter of a mile past South Head, and tbe yacht was put about. Two or three minuteo afterwards— about 20 minutes past 4 o'clock— a puff off the rocks at South Head struck the sail, sending it across to the opposite side. She heeled over, and so heavy was the squall that she went under right to her oombings, and the water poured into her, She righted,

and for a few seconds remained stationary, but the great volume of water* went aft, her counter went under, and slowly she settled down Btern first. As soon as Mr Phizackerley found his yacht going under him he got into a dingey, which he had towed astern, and endeavoured to let loose the painter. In this extremity he failed to get at his knife, and his endeavours to undo the painter at the ring proved unavailing. Two more of the hands scrambled into the dingey, and the captain made his way to the stern to preserve its equilibrium. The yacht, however, was now settling, and as it went down dragged the smaller boat with it. The whole of the party were now struggling in the water. Phizackerley was pulled down by one of the men, but shaking him off he rose to the surface, and, seeing Miss Cantor some distance away, swam to her. For a few minutes be held on to her, bub a heavy roller coming by separated them, and be did not see her again for some time. When he had been in the water 15 or 20 minutes he observed the' sailing boat Lilian bearing down on him. He managed to hold on tq her bobstay as she rounded to, and from there was hauled aboard. None of the others being in Bight, Watson's Bay was steered for, where, on his landing, Phizackerley found Miss Lindsay in an exhausted state.

The 13 when precipitated into the harbour struggled about together for a few minutes ; but some being stronger swimmers than others, they all separated greatly. Kinsford sank almost immediately. Vider swam about for a few minutes, and nothing more was seen of him, Of the young ladies, two at least were able to swim— Miss Cantor and Miss Lindsay. The former was seen assisting two of her less fortunate companions, but the task was too great for a delicate girl, and through sheer weakness she was forced to let them go. • The yacht Mermaid then came on the scene, just in time to save three of the party. Miss Cantor was quite exhausted when the engineer, Airred W. Grant, dived overboard and rescued her. He also pulled Whatmbre aboard, who assisted a few minutes later to, rescue Alexander jußt as he was finking. The steamer Alliance came to assist, and the dingey of the yacht Era picked up a lady, and a man named Funcke, the lady being dead, and placed them on the steamer. The steamer's boat picked up three ladies and a gentleman, but in them no sign of animation could be found.

Those who were drowned were : — Mr and Mrs La Meslee (of North Sydney), Miss K. Heggarty, Miss Hilton (a housekeeper). Miss Annie Owen (cousin to Miss Cantor), Kingsford (a ranger in the Forestry department), and E.A. Vider(ofWoolahra). h Mr Whatmore, a well-known cyclist, who waa rescued said :— " It was all so sudden, and as I - was below I can hardly tell you what caused tKe accident. Directly I found myself in the water I started swimming, and fortunately I had my boots off. I saw two of the ladies struggling near me and I swam to their aid, but they took me under with them, and at last, as I was in danger of drowning, I had to release myself, and then tried to help Miss Owen, I think it was. A sailing boat picked me up, but seeing the paddles belonging to the dingey floating near I jumped over and swam with them, and shoved them towards Kingsford and Alexander. Wo had been in the water about 15 or 20 minutes, and the rough sea made it hard tohelp anyone, and I was hauled on board, but seeing Alexander in the water struggling, I took a lifebuoy and jdmped over with it and swam to him. I then pushed him along, and we were both taken on the steamer. I saw Funcke dragged oub of the water, but I dared not try to help the men, as I could see by their struggles it meant certain death."