THE LATE FATAL BOAT ACCIDENT.

Wellington Independent, Volume XX, Issue 2221, 20 June 1865, Page 5

THE LATE FATAL BOAT ACCIDENT.

(To the Editor ofthe Wellington Independent.) Sir, — The particulars of the lato unfortunate catastrophe in our bay, which you published in ' the Monthly Summary, oughfc to be a warning to ; all amateur yachtsmen. lam an old sailor, and have travelled over most of the known world, but in all my experience I have never met any harbor or bay which is so dangerous to the incautious. To a waterman or any person accustomed to handling small crafts ifc is perfectly safo, but to all who deceived by the fineness of the weather and the lightness of tho breeze carry a press of sail, and make the gear fust, it is exceedingly dangerous. An experienced man would always bo ready in case of accidents, and have tho sheets and halliards ready to let go at a moment's notice. I am convinced thafc fche fatal accident which befel the Chapman's boat was occasioned by neglect. The poor fcllwos who are now gone, had been tacking about the harbor during the forenoon of Sunday last, and had probably made the shoot fast round one of fche thwarts. The squall came and laid fche boat on its beam ends. Had they been prepared sheet in hand, to let go when the wind struck them, they would probably havo escaped. Tho serenity of fche weather and fcho beauty of the bay entice many persons to indulge in a clay's yachting, but thoy should be warned never on any account to venture in a boat unloss accompanied by a waterman. All tho persons who are licensed to ply in the harbor as watermen are competent men, with whom there is no clanger in going, and it would be tho means of saving many valuable lives were it strictly laid down that no boats were to be sailed unless under the supervision of competent and careful men. Trusting you will find space for this letter in your valuable journal. I am, &c, An Old Wuaiee. June 14, 18G5.

(To the Editor of the Wellington Independent.) In your report of the proceedings of the Town Board Meeting, in your issue of Thursday last, it i is reported that I said that " Mr W< Id had w.inted j them (the prisoners) to repair the road in front of I his own house." j I did not make any such statement, and will I feel obliged by your correcting the mistake. I I am, Sh*, &c., j J. 11. Wallace. I Wellington, June 19.