BOAT FATALITY.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LII, Issue 16946, 30 January 1926, Page 13

BOAT FATALITY.

(l\'t Press Association J WANGANUI, this day. At. the inquest concerning the drowning of Robert William Batty, officer of the Kumara, il was disclosed that lie was sent ashore by the first, officer with a crew of four able seamen to pick up Captain Christie .and told to keep a mile to the northward! of the north molo, so as to allow for leeway. That order was not carried out. The boat was a mKe south of the south mole before lie lowered sail and rowed, up to the entrance, which is 6CO feet wide. lie came in about 2CO feel, off the south mole. Apparently the men were fired after strenuous rowing, and ceased operations ICO yards up the entrance.

The boat was ,caught 'by a strong ebb tick) and the swell caused by a northerly, end crashed on the rocks. Deceased gave the older: “Look out for yourselves, bids. Cling to the piles.’’ Tor a time deceased! manage:! to hold on to a. pile, but was washed away by the heavy sea and last seen about 20 yards from the mole, trying to reach the mast arid wreckage" of the boat. Iln wa y wearing an overcoat- on top of his uniform at the time of the accident. The evidence also disclosed that there was no life-linrv at either end 1 of the south mole, ijie pilot explaining that on account of thefts, they could not keep them there. A verdid of death due to drowning as a result- of an accident In thei boat while negotiating the channel, there being little doubt, the accident irnlortmutely was due to an c w or of judgment in the course taken was returned. The Coroner also commented upon \iik' being stolen from the moles.