BOATING TRAGEDY.

Waikato Times, Volume 114, Issue 19065, 2 October 1933, Page 7

BOATING TRAGEDY.

FOUR LIVES LOST.

FISHING IN THE SURF.

IN VICINITY OF CRONULLA. United Press Assn.—Eiec. Tel. Copyright. SYDNEY, Oot. i. Rough weather along the coast of New South Wales was responsible for a boating tragedy to-day in the vicinity of Cronulla. Seven young men, in spite of the rain and the treacherous surf, went out in a launch for deep sea Ashing. The craft capsized ana four of the party were drowned. The other three were rescued. The victims were Stephen Gleason, William Burrell and two brothers named Hodgson. The anchor rope fouled the propeller, which was put out of action, and the boat was driven on to a reef and broken up. The men were thrown into the sea. Two of them swam ashore and another was rescued by means of a lifesaving reel.

LATER. BPEOTATORS POWERLEBB. PROPELLOR OUT OF ACTION. LAUNCH TURNED TURTLE. United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright (Received Oct. 2, 10.15 a.m.) SYDNEY, Oct. 2. The victims of the Cronulla tragedy are as follow: —John James Hodgson (63), Robert Bantoclc Hodgson (65), Charles Lamph (37), and Seymour Burrell (63). Stephen Gleeson is missing. The bodies of the Arst four have been recovered, also three other survivors. People on the shore saw the men go to their death, but were powerless to help owing to the heavy seas. The .launch drifted ashore a total wreck. One of the survivors, S. Purches (24), was lowered overboard on a rope, and attempted to free the propellor, but could make no impression on the rope. The anchor chain then snapped, and, tossed by a big wave, the launch turned turtle, and scattered the crew of eight in the water. The watchers, signalling with sheets, vainly tried to attract the attention of a collier which passed within half a mile of the launch. Lamph had two artificial legs. His widow stated that he was a powerful swimmer, and had he had time to take off his wooden legs he would have reached the shore.