YOUNG MAN FAILED TO SAVE FATHER

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18960, 6 January 1930, Page 9

YOUNG MAN FAILED TO SAVE FATHER

BROWNING OCCURRED WHEN BOAT SWAMPED. (Special to the “Star.”) AUCKLAND. January 6. With his small sailing boat swamped while attempting to cross from Devon~ port to Tamaki and tossed for hours by the wind and waves, Henry Burnitt. iaged fifty-five, a painter residing at Symonds Street, was drowned yester‘day morning, in spite of a courageous effort by his son, Thomas Henry Burnitt. The latter supported his father in the water for some time, but when the boat was finally washed ashore on Long Point, Rangitoto, the father was ‘ lifeless. The pair set out in their twelve-foot sailing boat at nine o'clock. In the ‘channel they encountered difficulties, a strong westerly wind against the tide raising a very choppy sea. They were carried into Rangitoto channel, and when the boat became broadside on to the rising waves it gradually swamped until both men were thrown into the water. No one saw their plight. They supported themselves in the water by grasping the sides of the boat which drifted about for nearly three hours before it grounded on Rangitoto. Buffeted by the wind and waves Henry Burnitt soon weakened until he was unable to support himself. His son held him as well as he could above water, supporting himself on the boat. The struggle was in vain. By the time the craft reached the rocks off Long Point Henry Burnitt was dead. His son was pounded on the rocks, his legs being extensively cut and lacerated before he reached safety. After the struggle he was able to crawl ashore dragging the body of his father out of the Water. After travelling along the rocky shore the son reached the prison camp, two miles distant. On his arival home young Bumitt was verging on collapse, and was unable to give an account of the fatality.