BOATING DISASTERS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2823, 22 April 1908, Page 29

BOATING DISASTERS.

COLLISION IN LOWER HARBOUR

MOTOR FISHING BOAT CUT IN TWO.

TWO MEN AND TWO BOYS DROWNED.

A collision occurred m the Lower Harbour on Saturday night at about half-past 11 o'clock, which resulted m the death of four persons and the narrow escape of nine others from a watery grave. From the particulars available, it seems that the Defence Department's steamer Lady Roberts, after taking part m the Easter Volunteer naval manoeuvres, was returning to Port Chalmers, and for this purpose entered the Heads about 11 p.m. Somewhere about the same hour the motor fishing beat Matakana left Port Chalmers for the Heads, conveying thereto the following persons: — Sergeants H. S. Montgomery and S. Moir, Gunners H. Reeves and Wm Mothers, and Trumpeter M. Peters (all of the Port Navals) ; Corporal R. Slater and Gunner Birchall (Dunedin Navals), Bandsman Thomson (Garrison Band), Mr George Thomson (Maitland street), Joseph Cordelia (known as " Portuguese Joe "), and three boys named respectively Alfred (14), Gordon (12), and Edgar (10), sons of Mr J. A. M'Phee, clay-pipe maker, Richardson street, St. Kilda. The motor boat when leaving Port was, it is stated, steered for some distance by Trumpeter Peters, who was relieved by Gunner Birchall for a little time. When the boat was near Pulling Point, the Lady Roberts was observed coming up the channel, and when she was sighted Cordelia (who is an experienced fisherman, and who owned the boat) took control. When the Lady Roberts was seen she was on the eastern side of the channel, and the boat was fairly close m to the western shore. The Lady Roberts was travelling at a speed of from 8 to 8a knots an hour, and the motor boat was going at a knot or two less. When Captain Cashman (of the Lady Roberts) first saw the Matakana she was about 70 yards off, and from appearances he judged that she would pass his steamer fully 60 yards away. From some unexplained cause, however, the fishing boat altered its course when about 30 yards off, and steered across towards the eastern side of the channel. To get to this position it was necessary for the boat to cross the bow of the Lady Roberts. Captain Cashman, observing the danger of the situation, promptly gave the order " Full speed astern," and told the man at the wheel to put the helm hard over ; but before this had the desired effect the steamer crashed into the side of the boat, literally CUTTING HER IN TWO, and precipitating her 13 occupants into the water. Immediately the collision occurred Captain Cashman ordered lifebelts and lifebuoys to be thrown overboard among those struggling m the water, and with equal promptness a boat was lowered and a. number of sinking and exhausted persons were by these means rescued. ' The night, fortunately, was a bright moonlight one, and this assisted the work of the rescuers, as well as enabling those struggling m the water to avail themselves of the means of rescue from certain death. Four of the oil boat's occupants succeeded m reaching the tail end of tho Powder Magazine or "West-ho" 6andbank, and were taken off. ' Four of the boat's occupants, however, it was afterwards ascertained, were drowned. Their names were : — Corporal Robert Slater (24), grocer, employed by Wm. Black, Maori Hill. Gunner Mothers (21), labourer (Port Chalmers Navals). Gordon M'Phee (12), St. Kilda. Edgar M*Phee (10), St. Kilda. Robert Slater is a son of Mr R. Slater (Caversham), late labour representative on the Arbitration Court. He was a member of the Dunedin Naval Artillery from the time he was 17 years of age, and took a keen interest m Volunteering. Previous to entering upon employment at Maori Hill Mr Slater was m business as a grocer at Mornihgton. A great deal of sympathy is felt and expressed for his parents and friends. Gunner William Methers, also a young man, resided with his parents at Port Chalmers, and followed the occupation of a labourer. He is spoken highly of as a quiet and well-dispositioned young fellow, and was a popular member of his company. The boys Gordon and Edgar M'Phee, with their brother Alfred, had come up during the day to Port Chalmers from the Maori Kaik, where their parents and family are residing during the Easter holidays, and were returning to the Kaik when they met their all too untimely end. The survivors were conveyed by the Lady Roberts to Port Chalmers, where they received prompt medical _ attention from Drs Borrie and Hodges on the arrival of the boat, and were afterwards removed to Bastings's Hotel, where additional aid was rendered. Some difficulty was experienced m resuscitating Mr George Thomson, and two hours were occupied m bringing him round, Deputy Harbour Master Loudon rendering effective first aid. When the collision occurred the oil motor launch, whs struck on the port side amid-

' ships, and, as previously stated, was cut m two. The aft portion of the boat containing the oil engine sank immediately but the forward portion floated, and was picked up some time after the collision and towed to Carey's Bay. The Matakana was a whalcboat fitted with an oil engine, and owned by Joseph Cordelia. She was formerly owned by Mr A. Burt, of this city, and, when decked over and fitted as a- yacht, won many regatta events. Her length was about 30ft, and she was strongly built, and was strengthened when an oil engine was placed m her. Mr Cordelia resides at Deborah Bay, and he used the boat for fishing purposes. The members of the Naval Company who were aboard had come to Port Chalmers from the Heads by the Matakana during tho day for supplies, and by arrangement ' with Cordelia they were returning to the Heads when the collision occurred. SEARCHING FOR THE MISSING. After the accident the Lady Roberts remained m the vicinity for a considerable time, and those on board made every effort to find traces of those missing. On Sunday morning Messrs Erridge and Lewis and Erridge and Cramond dragged the locality with seine nets to recover the bodies, but with no result, and up to a late hour last night no bodies liad been recovered. Twp Naval caps were picked up -yesterday afternoon near the Heads, where it is supposed they had drifted. One of the caps was that of a Port Navals man, ' and the other is thought to belong to Corporal Slater. Gunner S. Moir, of the Port Chalmers Navals, received an injury to the calf of his leg during the collision, but this is not expected to prove of a serious nature. All the other survivors sufficiently recovered from the effects of their immersion to leave Bastings's Hotel and return to their homos yesterday. The boy Alfred M'Phee (aged 14) was rescued clinging to a piece cf the wrecked boat. Needless to say, the sad occurrence ca6t a gloom over Port Chalmers and Dunedin when the particulars of the accident became known, and special sympathy was expressed for the Volunteers m camp who have been so unfortunate m the way of accidents during their present manoeuvres. Reference to the collision and its consequences was made at St. Matthew's Church on Sunday, and also at other churches m the city and Port Chalmers. The Port Chalmers and Dunedin police deserve a word of commendation for the prompt manner m whioh steps were taken to inform relatives of those drowned and of those rescued of what had happened.