SHARKS ATTACK SKIFF.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 July 1923, Page 9

SHARKS ATTACK SKIFF.

THREE LIVES LOST TRAGEDY NEAR SYDNEY. VICTIMS, MINERS WITH FAMILIES. Sv r dney, June 21. ■ Probably the worst shark tragedy in our waters was that which occurred last week-exd off Wollongong on the south coast of New South Wales when four men were capsized from their skiff by a school of shark-, and three of them lost their lives. The victims, G. Clarke, E. Power and J. Rigby were miners in the coal mines on the south coast and were married men with big families. The survivor, John Butler, also a miner, was in the sea for four hours before being picked, up in a semiconscious condition by a passing collier. The four men were fishing from their skiff off tlie Bellambi Reef, away from the mainland, when they found themselves in the midst of a school of sharks. Before anything could be done to get to the shore, the man-eaters, savage through hunger, charged at the skiff. In a moment there was a big hole underneath the craft, and the men had been thrown into the water. What followed is told in the story of Butler. When the collier reached him, he was very exhausted, and according to the captain of the steamer, could not have lasted very much longer. “We went from Bellambi about 7 o’clock in a 16ft. sailing boat,” said Butler. We were mates, and made many week-end fishing trips together. About 9 o’clock, when two miles off land, a tremendous commotion at the stern attracted our attention. I looked back, and saw what appeared to be the tail of a huge shark. Whatever it was it was something I had never seen before. Then it disappeared, and almost in an instant our boat was struck a shattering blow. It quivered in every joint, and the timbers splintered. A huge hole was torn in the bottom, and it sank beneath us.

“We gripped the sides, and it kept turning over and over under us. We hung on for several minutes, when Rigby said to me, ‘What about the lad Jack? .We will have to do something: I don’t think these two can swim very well.’ I said: ‘All right; we will give it a go.’

“Rigby and I set out together for the shore, but after I had gone about 20 yards T found I had a fishing line around my legs and had to return to the boat. When I left Rigby that Was the last we saw fo him. About 10

minutes after he had left us we heard a sudden cry, but we couldn’t distinguish what he said. We still cluhg to the boat, cold and getting weaker and weaker.

“Clarke was becoming very exhausted. He let go his hold several times, and I nut him back on the boat again. Then the boat turned over, and when we looked round Clarke had disappeared. We didn’t see him go. and we were too exhausted to search for him. “Powell and I were the only ones left, and Powell was the next to go. He was clinging to- the bow and I was at the stern. He was very tired by this time, and I adv’ d him not to speak as it.

would only exhaust him more. I tried several times about then to plug the hole in the stern with coats, but it was no good. I don't know how Powell went. I was too exhausted to notice much. As : n the previous instance, the boat turned over, and Powell was gone. “Bv this time I was thoroughly exhausted, and lay on the boat. After Powell went I seemed to lose count of time. The boat turned over again and I elimbed carefully in. “Bv holding on to the tangle of fishing lines I managed to balance my self and stand upright. Carefully I worked my arms un and down to get ” circulation back, and I became a little stronger. I had only a shirt and a singlet on. and I took the shirt off to wave, in an endeavor to attract the attention of someone on shore. “When was standing up, about waist-deep in water. I could spp the collier Kurrara loading at Wollongong Harbour. She was my main hope. At last slip began to move, and I wondered which way she would go. If she was going to Sydnev my chances of rescue were good, but if she was bound south there would be little hope for me. I waved franctically to attract their attention. and to my great joy she turned and came straight fo where I was. “Thev lowered a boat, and picked me up. Bv this time I had been standing for about three hours up to my waist in water, with onlv a singlet on. ard was *0 cold and exhausted that I could not have lasted much longer. It was the cold that was getting me, and it was the cold that beat ue all. “Aboard the collier I was given clothing, and was well looked after. I told them about mv*mates, and they cruised, about, searclrng for them. But we could find no trace nf them. “The Kurrara put mo into a fishing boat off Bellambi. and this boat, set me ochore at the jetty. Powell. Rigby Clarke had been my fishing mates for, vpars. and thev wore all married men with big families. Powell was emnloved as a miner at Coalcliff, and the rest rf us were cobbers at the South Bullij Colliery.”