THE LAUNCH TRAGEDY

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 28, 30 December 1932, Page 2

THE LAUNCH TRAGEDY

THEORY AS TO CAUSE. NINE BODIES RECOVERED. Per Press Association. NAPIER, Dec. 29. Nine bodies had been recovered up to nightfall to-day as the result of an extensive search. So far the search for the remains of Mr H. Lowe has proved fruitless. The general opinion among the survivors seems to be that both vessels were running with their regulation lights burning, but the question of visibility appears to be in doubt. Opinions differ as to whether the night was clear or whether vision was obscured by a light blanket of misty rain. This will, of course, be determined at a complete marine inquiry, which probably will be held earlv in the New Year.

It seems evident from stories tokl by those from the Doris who escaped, that nclne, either on the launch or on the Tu Atu. had any idea of the nearness of the two boats. SUDDEN DISASTER.

Within a split second they were flung from safety into danger without any warning. It happened so quickly that it may be doubtful whether anyone could give a really clear account of what actually happened. One survivor stated when the impact was felt, the men naturally made away from tho side where the collision occurred, and this circumstance, combined with a glancing blow from the Tu Atu, resulted in the launch being turned right over. It seemed clear to him, after he had viewed the Doris this morning, and finding it undamaged and watertight, that the blow struck by tho Tu Atu was a glancing one, and just sufficient to tip it over. Typical experiences of men who managed to swim to the shore was the struggle of Mr R. Jones, who, when the launch overturned, was thrown clear. “I started to tread water for a while,” he said, “but decided to have a go at getting to the shore, which I judged was about 150 yards away. I seemed to be swimming for hours, and was just about ready to give up when I found that I was near where a sewer discharges into tho sea, and that gave me new hope. “I managed to reach the rocks and fell flat out. If there had been another 10 yards to go I could not have done it.”

just after he reached land, Mr Jones turned and noticed another man who had been swimming some distance behind him, throw up his hands and disappear when within 20 yards of the shore. Mr Jones, however, was too exhausted to go to his assistance. TOWN IN MOURNING. Per Press Association. NAPIER, Dec. 29. Port Ahuriri. Napier’s maritime community, was in the deepest sorrow to-day over the tragic loss of the ten men. Flags flew at half-mast from the offices of shipping firms and agents, exporters and producers, and the quaysides were lined with little knots of men talking while they waited further news of the missing. Men who had been workmates of those missing waited at the landing steps at the Iron Pot for the arrival of every craft which came in from the roadstead. A feeling of utter helplessness gripped all who clustered on the quays, and every lialf-hour served only to confirm the belief that no hope could be entertained for the men still not accounted for. INQUIRY TO BE HELD. MINISTER’S DIRECTION. (By Telegraph.—Special to Standard.) WELLINGTON, Dee. 30. The Minister of Marine, Hon. J. G. Cobbe, has directed that an immediate marine inquiry be held into the collision between the launch Doris and the lighter Tu Atu at Napier. The Court will be constituted with a Magistrate and two assessors. HELP FOR THE BEREAVED. SYMPATHY OF WHOLE DOMINION Per Press Association. NAPIER, Dec. 30. The body of Mr Norman Lowe is the only one not recovered of those missing as the jesult of Wednesday’s disaster, when ten watersiders were drowned. The Mayor, Mr Vigor Brown, has opened a subscription list. The combined funeral of the nine victims will take place to-morrow morning. Messages of sympathy were received from the Governor-General, Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes, Mr H. E. Holland and many Mayors. Tlie waterside workers resumed today after helping in the search yesterday. At the request of the Premier the Mayor is to visit all the bereaved families with the object of reporting on their plight. The launch Doris was but slightly "damaged, her turning turtle causing the men to he thrown into the water.