DEATH OF CAPTAIN TAYLOR, OF WANGANUI.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XIX, Issue 1111, 2 August 1871, Page 2

DEATH OF CAPTAIN TAYLOR, OF WANGANUI.

Intelligence was brought by the last mail from Wanganui, on Monday evening last, of a rumour circulated there to the effect that Captain T. B. Taylor of the firm of Messrs. Taylor and Watt, of that town, had been swept off the deck of the ' Lady Denison.' Since then, the vessel has pnt into this port for provisions previous to her leaving for Sydney, and from Captain John Farnie we have obtained full particulars of the lamentable accident. It. appears that the ' Lady Denison' left Wanganui for Sydney on Saturday, the 15th July. During that night and on Sunday morning, the weather was very dirty, the wind being about west. Being well down towards Queen Charlotte's Sound, the captain thought (as the glass was very low) that it would be advisable to make for it, and to anohor there until the storm abated. The vessel had previonsly been nnder close reefed topsails, but now the foresail, trysail, and main topmast staysail were set. It seems the late Capt. Taylor suggested that the jib should also be set. Captain Farnie says he did not like the look of weather much, but as the wind was lulling at the time, he set it. In about an hour afterwards the wind freshened, and the captain told Captain Taylor, he was doubtful of the jibboom standing ; but as the owner seemed anxious to get snug at anchor and considered it was only a slight squall, the sail was not taken in. At 9 a.m., however, the breeze freshened, when it was considered advisable to take in the main topmasc staysail, and they wonld also have taken in the jib, but for the jibboom being suddenly carried away. All hands immediately went to work to get the jib in. Captain Taylor went to assist the men and leant over the topgallant rail, with his breast on that part of the sail which had been got on board* The vessel was pitching and plnnging fearfully, whilst this was being done, and the sail was blown from the hands as fast as they got it in. In one of these plunges, the part of the Bail Captain Taylor had under him, was carried away, and he, poor man, thrown overboard. Captain Farnie says he was beside him but a minute or two before, bat had gone to the fore part of the fore rigging and was there when he heard some one cry ont. By some chance he happened to look over the side at the same time, and to his horror he saw a man's leg above the water. He immediately ran aft to the stern, and threw the lifebuoy overboard. The vessel was immediately pnt on the other tack ; but Captaiu Taylor having on a great coat and there being a heavy sea to contend against, he could not keep long above water, and in less than three minutes had disappeared. We believe he was seen once, bnt then only for abont a minute. Captain Taylor was much respected, and well-known to many in this town. His untimely death has oast a deep gloom over the settlement where he and his family have resided for years, as he was much esteemed.