THE ACCIDENT AT BLUFF REGATTA.

Westport Times, Volume XVI, Issue 1968, 20 January 1882, Page 3

THE ACCIDENT AT BLUFF REGATTA.

From the account published in the local journals of the fatal accident that occurred at the Bluff regatta dur ing the race for the outrigged skiffs, it appears that as soon as the competing boats cleared the wharf it was observed that the pea was likely to be too much foy them, and after going a short distance the Awarua Club's boat took a sea aboard and filled, and the crew at once began to pull for the i shore. As their toat had two water

tight compartments which kept her well afloat, they afterwards turned and followed the other two boats to rsnder any assistance they might require. Meantime, the Bluff Harbor and Invercargill boats had reached the turning flag, both boats being nearly full of water. As soon as they began to turn it was found that they were quite unmanageable, and whilst in the act of turning, a sea took the Invercargill boat right on to the Bluff boat and both at once sank. Considerable excitement was occasioned on the wharf, and several boats at once put off to the assistance of the men in the water, but unfortunately they all arrived too late to save the lives of the whole of the crews. One of the Bluff Harbor Board crew (Mr Andrew Kobertson) was drowned, and up to a late hour his body had not been recovered. From the statement of one of the crew it appears that as soon as the boats went under the crews all took hold of them, and there was sufficient buoyancy to float them, but the deceased who was only able to swim a very little, persisted in climbing upon the bottom of the boat, when the boat sank and he went down in sight of them all.