BOATING ACCIDENT.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 143673, 18 December 1911, Page 3

BOATING ACCIDENT.

ONE MAN DROWNED. Per Press Association AUCKLAND, Dec. 18, Gerald Byrne, locomotive fireman, 24 years of age, was drowned at St. George’s Bay yesterday afternoon through the swamping of a dinghy. Deceased’s brother William. 20 years of age, and two other men, Harry ‘Colder and Michael Lanigan, were rescued, though Byrne was in an exhausted condition, and was taken to the hospital. They were all residents of Ponsonby, the man who was drowned living with his parents, of whom he was the main support. The men comprised the crow of the yacht Cora. They had jusr. returned from a cruise find anchored 150 yards from the shore. At three o’clock they started to row ashore in a dinghy. A gae- was blowing from tiie north-west, with a heavy, choppy sea, and the boat was swamped almost immediately, and capsized with the men beneath. They succeeded in extricating themselves, but the tide commenced to sweep them down the harbour. The accident was observed from the shore, and several men went to the rescue in dinghies. Gerald Byrne, who was the only one who was unable to swim, was held by his brother until assistance reached them. The lour men were then picked up and taken ashore. The older Byrne was found to ho dead, and his brother had collapsed and was apparently in a serious condition. The other members of the crew had not suffered any serious injury. William Byrne recovered under treatment. and is reported to bo cut of dan- ________