NARROW ESCAPE FROM A FRIGHTFUL CATASTROPHE ON LAKE WAKATIP.
What might have been a most frightful catastrophe on Lake Wakatip was narrowly averted at New Year time. It was the occasion of a trip up the Lake, and immediately on the cry, " A man overboard" being raised, many of the passengers rushed to the side from which the deceased man fell. Then the men and officers had difficulty to ascertain the cause of the excitement. The man at the wheel stuck to his post and so did the engineer below. Still the crowd got excited, and swaying to and fro in alarm caused the steamer to further heel over. By dint of coolness of the officers and Police Sergeant M'Leod, and a few ladies and other passengers, people were made to resume their places. Thus was averted a New Year's danger which would have caused a heavy loss of life. Had the vessel gone over, nothing could have saved passengers or boat. At the Three-Mile Creek — as at all the mouths of the creeks up the lake indeed — there is a strong undercurrent — a vortex to the strongest swimmer. The deceased could not battle with such a current ; how much less a crowd of suddenly - submerged human beings. The children's voices, too, added to the danger and prevented orders being heard. The steamer had to hold on its way as a matter of safely. A boat was lowered, but without the aid of three or four boats well supplied with grappling tackle, efforts to recover the body wo aid have been without avail. Ev9ry promptitude was shown in launching the boat, but life buoys under the circumstances could not offer the unfortunate man any hope of escape as his head was never seen above water. Of course the hearts of the bravest quailed, and women as usual fainted and went into hysterics. The band played to calm down the excited feelings.
" Where did you get that acar ?" "My wife, your Honor." 'f Ah, she must be a very energetic woman." "Tea, she always slriltos while the iron ia hot."
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Bibliographic details
Tuapeka Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1213, 13 January 1886, Page 5
Word Count
349NARROW ESCAPE FROM A FRIGHTFUL CATASTROPHE ON LAKE WAKATIP. Tuapeka Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1213, 13 January 1886, Page 5
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