DEATH OF CAPTAIN TAYLOE, OF WANGANUI.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XIX, Issue 1112, 5 August 1871, Page 5 (Supplement)

DEATH OF CAPTAIN TAYLOE, 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 aud Watt,.of that, town, had been swept off the deck of the ' Lady Denison.' Since then, the vessel has put 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 appuars that the ' Lady Deuison' left Wanganui for Sydney on Saturday, the 15th. July. During that night aud ou Sunday morning, the weather was very dirty, the wind being about west. Being well down towards Queen Charlotte's Sound, tho captain thought (as the glass was very low) that it would be advisable to make for it, and to anchor there until the storm abated. Tho vessel had previously been under close reefed topsails, bat 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 muen, but as the wind was lulling at tho time, ho set it. la 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 topmast? staysail, and they would also have taken in the jib, buc for die jibboom being suddenly carried away. All h.mds immediately wont to work to get the jib in. Captain Taylor went to assist the men and leant over the topgallant rail, with bis breast on that parr, of the sail which had been gotoa board. The vessel was pitching and plunging 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 sail Captain Taylor had under him, was carried away, uud lie, poor man, thrown overboard. Captaiu Farnie says ho was beside him but a minute or two before, but had gone to the fore part of the fore rigging and was there when he heard sorno one ay out. IJy some chance he happened to look orer 'the side at the same time, aud to his horror he saw a man's leg above the water. He imui3diately ran aft to the stern, and threw the ,ifebuoy overboard. The vessel was itnmediatelj put on die other tack ; but Captain Taylor haviug on a great coat and there being a heavy seatoaoutend against, ho could not keep- long above water, and in leas than three minutes had disappeared. We believe he was seen once, but • then only for about 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 ho w*s much esteemed. — Taranaki Herald, August 2.