A BOATING MISHAP.

Timaru Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 11664, 24 January 1902, Page 4

A BOATING MISHAP.

With the view of bringing the lifeboat of the wrecked Aiitioco Accame from Milford to Timaru, wlieie Mr Franks, one of the salvagurs, had been instructed to dispose of her. he organised a crew and made such airangements as were deemed adequate. .Mr Jxiti Waaka, the wellknown native fisherman, was to act as qoxswain, and to him was left the selection of time and tide. Early on Wednesday morning he advised that the mouth of the lagoon Had changed a good deal, and that although tie sea was comparatively calm, there was a slight aground swell. The party organised proceeded to the beach and made a trial trip with the boat, evervihing working satisfactorily. Later in tiie morning, Mr Franks, and one of his co-saivagors, .Mr Edgeler, were anxious to take advantage of the favourable wind, 'which -would give them a straight lead to Timaru, and the volunteers being not unwilling it was agreed to risk negotiating the bar. Mr P. Coira acted as steersman, and at the last moment a fresh hand was shipped in the person of an exsailor named Thomas. The difficult channel was traversed safely, although once the boat was nearly broadside on. A sinait pull and an energetic sweep of the steering oar fetched the boat head on to the breakers, and one was safely negotiated. a small crowd of fishermen on the beach giving a hearty cheer. They cheeied too soon, for another broken wave and a far heavier one followed, and the beat took in a good drop of water. Unfortunately the latest addition to the crew ' took it into his head to commence bailing, and to do so dropped his oar when a te u!y puil was needed. A slight broach to and another real good wave finished the contract, and the boat filled to the gunwale. She started driving towards the beach, and the crew and supernumeraries at once took to the water, with the exception of Messrs Coira and Gaze, who had been pulling stroke. Both decided to ride with the boat as far as convenient. Messrs J. H. Anderson, Surridee. Edgeler. Thomas, and FranEs; quickly landed, although Edgeler, who could not swim, had a .narrow escape and imperilled Anderson's life also. Mr Coira's position was the most critical, as he was wearing his fishing boots. Both steer oar and stroke oar were jammed and could not be utilised rs floats, but Mr Coira managed to get a foothold, and Messrs Anderson and Surridge. who had already landed, gave him a pull out. Mr Gaze swam ashore a little further down, but went back to secure some of the flotsam. Meanwhile the position of the boat was nearly indicated by the stroke and steer oars, the h'ade- of which were exposed. A vigorous attempt was made to reach her painter, and bi' f for rop« Frnnks would have been washed away, for the tide was' running strong. About* two hours afterwards the oars were seen to break loose and drift to the southward. One glimpse was also caught of the gunwale of the boat making for Timarii minus a crew, but uecjily lade. -1 , probably with shingli. . One of the oirs was picked up near Washdyke- early resterduy morning, and there is yet a slight hope of the boat coming ashore.