MERCIA DISASTER.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 18 March 1927, Page 13

MERCIA DISASTER.

• INQUEST ON VICTIM. By Telegraph—Press Association AUCKLAND,. March 17. ■ A thrilling story was told, to Mr F. K. Hunt, S.M., to-da'v, when the adjourned. inquest on Leonard "Waters (43), master printer, of Devonport, was continued. ~ - Waters lost his life in a disaster which befell the launch Mercia on Kaipara bar on January 22. The Mercia, which belongs to Mr W. H. •Olliver, of Devonport, was on a trip from Mercia round North Cape 'to Auckland, and, while off Kaipara Heads*'oh the evening of January 22,, Arigine troub’e was ..experienced.'?- An anchor was dropped seven or eight miles from the bar. the intention being to •remedy the engine defect on.-tlm : following morning. During: the night a heavy -wind sprang up, the ‘ anchor dragged, and the launch was driv.en into the breakers oh the bar. A .very Heavy breaker wrecked the vessel. The masts, riggings and deck-house were •washed, overboard, -and., "\yaters,' who had been in the deckhouse, was lost.! Olliver, who was in ’ the deckhouse when it was washed overboard, said he managed, to cling to a docir which had been torn from its hinges, and 1 he was swept ashore. He collapsed, and evidently lost consciousness,, for it was riot until about nine o’clock on the following morning, with tlie sun shim ing brightly, that he awoke and found himself on a lqnely beach. He walked ;tip and down, hut could find no trace of Waters. , ~ Sergeant Angland said the body was washed up a considerable distance I'roiri the scene of the disaster. - -A verdict of accidental drowning was returned.'