HARBOR TRAGEDY.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 14578, 8 April 1918, Page 2

HARBOR TRAGEDY.

FOUR LOVES LOST AT AUCKLAND." SCOW CRASHES INTO DINGHY. (Per Press Association). AUCKLAND, last night. . / A harbor accident involving, the loss of four lives occurred Ileal" North Head about 7.15 last feveilitlg; Those drowned arei R. Sutherland > boatbuilder-j Devori.port, aged. 24, Erhfest Skiirlier (11), Jack Skinner (9), anti David Skinner (6), Avhose parents, reside m Domain street, DevQuport. ' A boy named Christian Hellesoi (12), Avho Avas aboard, Avas saved. The five were m a small dinghy, fishing, well out m the channel, Avhen. the steamer Glenelg, towing a scoav coming into harbor, passed close by them. Those on the steamer shouted a warning to look out for the tow rope, but the boat's anchor had just been Aveighed, and the wind and tide carried the ' dinghy on to the rope, wlrich, catching the mast, canted it over. Bofore the dringby could be extricated, the SCO*".*- crashed on to it, oapsizing it. The steamer and the scow each threw out a lif e=buoy, arid each lowered a boat. Helltisoi Avas rescued, but, riO trace 'Wile foillid of the others, though the search wiUs continued fdr an hour. It Is stated tliat those oir tho dinghy were grouped around a lamp on board, cutting Up bait, and this obscured tho light. The bodies have not yet been recovered. AUCKLAND, this day. The only surviA'or of the harbor eh'OAVhiiig tragedy is a Samoarr boy natned H*"llesoe. He is an expert swinlmerv Great praise is due to him foi" llrs efforts to save John Skiriher. He states that hfej with -.the foUv. deceased, set out about 6 p.m. iii a 12ft; dinghy, with the intention fishing off tiro North Head. On arrival at the fishing ground they, lit the hurricane lamp as protection from lal'ge vessels. Shortly after 7 p.m. they took the light m board, so that they could see to cut up some bait. Suddenly he saw the headlight of an approaching, vessel. He told the others that the vessel was behind them, and called out to those on the vessel. While they were trying* to pull up the anchorto avoid a collision, the line caught tire dinghy's mast and) dragged the small craft toAvards the vessel being towed. The dinghy capsized. AU the occupants were thrown into the Avater. Ernest and DaA**id Skinner caught hold of Sutherland ; John Skinner seized Hellesoe. Hellesoe managed to right' the dinghy and place John inside, Unfortunately the dinghy filled again, and John was thrown into the Avater. He drifted to Adhere Sutherland, Avas holding up the other tAvo boys, both of Avlrom Avere calling out. Sutherland called out : "I'm done, Christian; save yourself." A boat therr arrived. Hellesoe, Avho liad managed to hold on to the dinghy, told them to go to- Sutherland and the others first. However, they picked him up first. When he looked again the others had disappeared. Hellesoe avus taken on boui'dl oare bf the vessels and brought to the city, where the police Avere informed.