LOSS OF A LAUNCH.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LX, Issue 143839, 13 July 1912, Page 3

LOSS OF A LAUNCH.

ON THE WAIRATU BAR. Per Press Association. BLENHEIM,- July 12! , Further details regarding tho Wairau bar drowning fatality state that a fall of cement, at Dalgoty’s now store cut -• the telephone wires, preventing details , being sent before. . The victims-were William Aldridge, aged 28, and Edward - Collett, aged 25, cousins, ,and unmur- - - tied. They wore engaged in the fishing trade, and left in a motor launch for Port Underwood on Monday. When re- -\ turning'- yesterday they attcinxrtod to negotiate the Wairau bar. The sea was not extraordinarily , rough, button ; unusually powerful roller struck the s launch at a critical moment and cap- ' sized her. . Tho harbourmaster, and bis assistant wont across to the open' beach, but saw no signs of the men. It was impossible to traverse the bar in an . open boat. The harbourmaster communicated with the steamer Wairau, and the captain sent out a lifeboat, but > the search was unsuccessful. The body : of Aldridge was picked up oh the bench near the bar at 5.30 p.m., and Collett’s at the same place early this morning.;,)i l The launch w r as smashed to pieces.