ACCIDENTS TO THE SURF BOAT AT MANAWAPOU SEVEN MEN DROWNED.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XIII, Issue 664, 22 April 1865, Page 2

ACCIDENTS TO THE SURF BOAT AT MANAWAPOU SEVEN MEN DROWNED.

By the s.s. Wellington, from Manukau, Messrs. Smith and Edmonds, two of tho boatmen who proceeded with the surf boat from this placo to Patea River, about two months sinco, and who were among thoso saved in the unfortuuato disasters, have returned hero. Aftor the last disaster they were invalided and sont on board the birod transport s.s. Ahuriri, At Waingongoro to proceed to Wanganui. The destination of the#tonmor, howover, was changed at the last moment, and she procoodod to tho Manukau with despatches from General Cameron for Ids Excellency the Governor. She left Wamgongoro on tho 10th instant, at 0 p.m., and arrived at Onohunga at 6 p.m. the following day. From Smith and Edmonds wo have gathered the following particulars of the disasters :— On the 30th March, the boat was launched at Manawapou to go out and underrun the mooring buoy. In going out of the creek the boat was struck by three successive Boas, and before they could pick the boat up again with their oars, the boat was knocked against the clift's. Three of the crew immediately jumped from the boat to save their lives, and four stuck by her till she went to pieces. The names of the latter are John Edmonds, William Smith, Richard Wilson, and Francis Smith. AU succeeded in reaching tho rocks, and eventually a land slip ; here they had to remain three hours, with the sea breaking over them, until the tide went back. They afterwards reached the camp in safety. On the 2nd instant the other boat went off to the s.s. Ahuriri, with despatches, and brought ashore some cargo. The boat's crew, on lauding, told Major Locke that there was too much sea on to allow of the boat going off again. Shortly afterwards the steamer Gftndagai arrived and run her ensign up " Union down." It being thought there was something the mattor, at imminent risk the boat went off. All tho captain required was to land passengers and cargo. The boat took in a number of soldiers for the shore, but the men refused to take cargo, ovving to the heavy sea on. The captain, however, persisted, and several packages were thrown into the boat before she could get away. Just as the boat left a sea swept the decks of tho steamer. The boat succeeded in reaching the surf warp, when a heavy sea struck her and she took a run. Before she could recover herself the chock carried away, and the next sea turned her bottom up.' All hands of course then struck out for their lives. Seven lives, we regret to say, were lost. Tho others reached the shore in safety, with the assistance of a detachment of the 60th Regtl, which had come to the rescue. The names of the boatmen drowned' are Francis McGuire and William Gaul, alias " Scotty Gaul:" The former leaves a wife and four children in New Plymouth. Two of the D7th, oue of the 60th, and two of the Colonial Transport Corps were the others drowned, but their names we have been unable to ascertain.