SAD BOAT ACCIDENT.

Otago Witness, Issue 2231, 3 December 1896, Page 40

SAD BOAT ACCIDENT.

THREE LIVES LOST, HawebA, November 29. A sad boat accident ocourred at Waingongora Beach, between Hawera and Manaia, at 11 o'clock this morning. A party of eight— Messrs R. Briggs, 0. Wordsworth, Charles Clarke, Harry Sisley, John Oaldwell, and Misses Wordsworth (2) and Clara Crowhurst— went out in an open boat, and when returning were struck by a breaker and capsized. R. Briggs, C. Wordsworth, and Miss Crowhurst were drowned. The bodies were recovered, much brained. Wordsworth was a married man, about 45 years of age, and leaves a wife and six children. Biiggs was married, about 27 years of age, and leaves a wife and one child. Clar* Crowhursfe, aged 17, was a daughter of Mr Crowhurst of the Manaia Witness. Mr Wordsworth was a well-known settler. He was one of the survivors of the wrfiok of the Strathmore, wrecked on the Crozoti Islands many years ago, and was rescned from the island after being cast away aboufe 12 months. November 30. . It is pretty certain from what was'fesen of the accident at Waiogongora Beach on Sunday, and the circumstances under which Wordsworth was discovered, that he sacrificed his life in the endeavour to save Miss Crowhurst. Being qnite at home in the water, he could otherwise easily have got ashore.

From Westporb latb week 7401 tons of coa were exported, of which the Westporfc Coal Company shipped 6835 tons and the Cardiff Company 566 tons. The removal of a steam launch from Mr Faulkner's foundry in Castle street to the launching place at the harbour side created some little interest on Monday. The work was somewhat difficult, and presented quito an engineering feat. The launch, it may be added, had been submerged for a considerable length of time. It was raised under Mr Faulkner's supervision, and has been entirely renovated and re-engined at bis foundry.