CAPSIZE OF LIFEBOAT.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LII, Issue 16946, 30 January 1926, Page 12

CAPSIZE OF LIFEBOAT.

THE WANGANUI FATALITY. DIFFICULT TO TURN BACK. Describing the events leading up to the capsize of a lifeboat of the steamer Kuniara at Wanganui Heads, bv which 1 the third officer, Mr. Batty, lost, his .life, one of the - crew,. Air. Charles Garvin, who had ft severe struggle for life, said:— “ When we left the ship, there was a elioppv sea and the wind was-strong. We hoisted the sail, but made little headway, so had to rely on the oars. Campbell, Anderson, Field, and myself each held an oar, and Mr. Batty was at (he tiller, though for a spoil he relieved at the oars. We were carried a wav to the south,-and could see we would have difficulty in making the entrance. ‘ '

“ Fnfortunately, it. would have been just as difficult to turn back. After about two hours, wo got to the moles, hul were too close to tlie south mole, and a wave carried us on to it -with, little warning. We were thrown upon Hie rocks and the boat capsized. 1 saw Campbell and ' Anderson get ashore, but could not reach the rocks myself. The sea was very turbulent around the rocks, and. I thought it was all up. The drift carried me round the mole. I managed lo swim ashore, but it was hal’d work, and I W as all in. when I reached the beach. The other three, were there, but had seen no sign, of Mr. Batty,”