SAD DISASTER AT WANGAREI

Wairoa Bell, Volume V, Issue 166, 7 October 1892, Page 5

SAD DISASTER AT WANGAREI

eight men drowned The yacht Minerva capsized in Wangarei Harbour on Sunday last, and eight of the nine men on board were drowned. The missing men are J. P. Tucker, A. Tucker, H.E Sealey, Cliff W ; lson, E. Courtney, Prank Ramsay, A. Brook eland A. Gallie J. Pearson, the only survivoi, says —W lien coming home between One-tree Point and Manganese Bay I was holding the sheet when a squall struck the boat. I immediately slackened the sheet and brought her up in the wind In the meantime the ballast had shifted a little. Seale}' was going to shift it right when suddenly ano her squall came from another direction. It turned her over on her side, shooting all the occupants into the water. The last I saw of J. P. Tucker was standing on the mast as the boat lay on her side on the top ot the water. I saw E. Ramsayholding on to a hatch in the water, and thought he would get ashore all right, but I am afraid he has perished. I saw C-urtney and Brooker swimming for One-tree Point, a long way ahead of me, hut after a while I overtook them, and after passing them some time I looked round, and they had gom down, I was about throe ljundrod

yards from the shore when I was picked up by G. Scott arc! IT. Going, who had pulled several miles from Scott’s place to the scene of the accident, which they had seen from the shore. Thu had pulled all round llio boat before they saw me., but could not sea any of the others, I think I could have got to shore, but am afraid would have perished on the beach from exhaustion. I was taken to the other side of the river after being picked up, but we saw no sign of the others. All we saw of the boat was the end of the gaff rise above the water and sink again. My rescuers n ere very kind, and after warming me in blankets gave me a horse to ride home. The boat was found by the crew of the Government steamer Hinemoa late on Punday evening, and was haled out. and taken to "Wangarei. Those who were drowned are all well known residents of Wangarei ; several of them being in business there, Mr J. P. Tucker, the owner of the yacht, leaves a wife and five children ; his brother Albert, also drowned, was to have been married next month. Mr Sealey leaves a wife but no family and Mr "Wilson leaves a wife and three children.

The body of E. Courtney was found on Wednesday. It was brought to the surface by means of dynamite.