BOATING FATALITY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16538, 23 September 1921, Page 6

BOATING FATALITY.

INQUEST AT NEW PLYMOUTH. (Per Press Association.) NEW PLYMOUTH, September 22. The story of the drowning accident at New Plymouth on Sunday was retold to-day at the inquest regarding the circumstances of the deaths of four men who were drowned as the result of the capsizing of a boat while en route to the shore from the American steamer Easterner (anchored in the stream)- The inquest lasted till late to-night. The deceased were W. D. Lindsay and V. W. Lander (of the crew of the Easterner), J. Piper and T. A. Butler ("Wellington), passengers on the steamer. Several counsel were engaged, and one asked that all witnesses should be ordered out of the room, the reason being that possibly there might be a claim later against the ship for negligence-

Captain O’Brien, master of the vessel, snid he selected the boat for the party* and examined it thoroughly. He said that lie also attended to the equipment of tlie boat. There were at least three oars, if not four. There were five life preservers, and the boat., in his estimation, was thoroughly seaworthy when it left the ship. He personally saw to this. When the boat went away under sail, the wind was blowing west north-west. Such a breeze was a fair one for a boat, going ashore. Counsel put several questions regarding the number of oars with which the boat was equipped, and ultimately drew the following answer from the witness: “ Well, let us get it down on the records. When the boat left the ship she had six oars, but Deskin put three back on board the ship, because they were not necessary.” You could have told us before—l have nothing that I want to hide. 1 hsard afterwards that Deskin put the oars back. When was the rudder altered?—l never knew the addition was on the rudder till after the accident. So this very thorough examination of yours did not include the rudder?—All I can say to you is that when I looked the boat over I do not preclude the rudder. Did you examine tho rudder?—rYes. The Coroner: When?—Before she left the ship. The addition to the rudder was put on after I gave permission for the boat to leave; in fact, I suggested it, but I never saw it. I said to Deskin: ‘‘ You had better look out for your rudder.” He replied, “I will put a piece on.” Do you consider you had taken on yourself the responsibility of letting this boat go?—YesWhat steps did you take in regard to letting the boat go?—ln my judgment it was quite safe for the boat to go ashore. The vessel was lying in comparative calm. Do you admit your judgment wrong? —lt is very natural my judgment was wrong. Roy L. Deskin, third officer of the Easterner, and sole survivor of* the boat’s crew, said that after proceeding part of the journey he could see there was going to be trouble. He decided that it was not safe to proceed and told the others they were going to put back to the ship. He put the rudder hard over. It stuck and would not move 3 and he ordered the others to get out an oar. They got one oar out, this being handled by Landers, and he told Landers to back-water. They did not get tho other oar out- Tho boat was then struck by two seas, the second swamping it and turning it over. When witness got his head above water, Landers, Lindsay and Piper were on the bottom of the upturned boat, ton feet away. Witness struck out for the boat. They were drifting inshore all the time. lien witness was close to the boat he heard Butler behind, and went back. He found a life-belt, which lie gave to Butler, and towed him to the boat. They got back and climbed on the bottom of the boat, the other three being still there. He put a life-belt on Butler and just got it tied on when a sea washed him away. He told Butler to hang on to the belt and try and tie it Witness then put a line round Piper- Next they saw Butler about twenty or thirty feet away inshore. He was face down. W itness swam out and got Butler, turning him on his back on tne boat. Witness then got on the boat, when a wave took Butler away. At this time they were on the breakers, and that was the last thev saw of Butler. He then altered the line on Piper, to allow him to free himself in case the boat was turned over. Another sea came along and washed witness away., When ho saw the boat the others were still there. He could not get back to it, so he started to swim ashore, picking up an oar and a life-belt. He could not hold the oar. however, and he could not fasten the life-belt on- Ho drifted in, and some people waded out and assisted him ashore. Regarding the working of the rudder, his opinion was that the effect of the sea forced it up, causing the cleeks to jamb. It only needed to shift slightlv for this to happen.

, “ lt seems as if.” sai<l the Coroner. ■ that 111 allowing the boat to leave the steamer at that time the captain committed an error of judgment!.”

The Coroner found that the boat was well found and capably manned, and his verdict vras <c accidental drowning.”