THE FATALITY AT HOOPER INLET.
An inquiry into the circumstances touching the death of Annie Elizabeth and Selina Piplowi Storer, who were drowned on Thursday at Hooper Inlet, was held at the parents’ residence, corner of York place and Albert street, to-day, before Coroner Carew and a jury of six, of whom Mr William Asher was chosen foreman. Sergeant O’Neill conducted the inquiry on behalf of the police.
Henry Storer, employed as messenger in the National Insurance Company, said he resided on the premises, and identified the bodies shown as those of his daughters Annie Elizabeth and Selina Piplow Storer, His daughter Annie was twenty-two years of age, and was born in Melbourne. The deceased and witness proceeded to Hooper Inlet on Wednesday last with the intention of staying there a fortnight. His eldest daughter was at Broad Bay, and she came across to see them. She stopped about an hour, and they then proceeded down to the beach. His eldest daughter then left them with her husband, and himself, his three daughters, and Miss Bragg took off their boots and stockings, and waded around the beach. After rambling about two miles along the shore they came to their tent, and the girls then said: “We would like to have a bathe.” He said “All right,” and proceeded further along the beach. Half an hour after he saw his youngest daughter, Agnes, and Miss Bragg swimming out towards the channel leading out into the sea. He sang out to them to return, and they came back. His little boy who was with him said: “Father, Lena and Annie are on the other side." He said he thought they could not have crossed the channel, but his youngest daughter sang out: “Oh, father, Lena and Annie have gone down!” He asked “Where?” and his daughter pointed over to the spot — in the middle of the channel. He then threw off his coat and plunged in, but not being a good swimmer the tide (which was very strong) carried him right away down towards the sea. He then jumped into a boat, but there were no oars in it, and he got out and rushed up to a little hut on the hill. He found the oars inside the hut, and rushed down to the boat again, but could not find any rowlocks. His youngest daughter then came into the boat, and they tried to paddle one on each side. They got into the channel, but it was too strong, and carried them towards the ocean. Two boys swam out, got into the boat, and managed to bring it to land. He remained on the beach until about six o’clock, when he saw the body of his daughter Selina as the tide went out. The body was lying on a little sandbank, and it seemed as though the current in the channel had forced it there. It was about a few minutes to three when the girls went into the water, and it was about six o’clock when they found the body. The inlet was quite safe for four or five miles around, providing anyone did not go into the channel. His daughter Selina was a very good swimmer, but his other daughter could not swim at all. In looking at the channel it did not seem to have a strong current, and he was astonished at the force of the current when he went out to try and save them. He had been told that the current was strong, and he had told his daughters that. The settlers at Hooper Inlet were very kind in rendering assistance, doing all in their power to endeavor to find the bodies. Some of the settlors remained on the beach nearly all night, as also did the constable from Port Chalmers.
Nellie Bragg, residing at Caversham, said on Wednesday last she went to Hooper Inlet with the Storers. After Mr Storer left them on the beach Agnes and witness sat down near the stream. Annie and Lena said they would go in for a bathe. Witness looked up afterwards and saw them on the other side of the channel, but did not see them enter the water, as witness and Agnes Storer were reading. Witness and Agnes Storer then went out too, but did not stay in long. They saw the girls on the other side start out to come back, and they turned back. She was in the tent dressing when she heard them call out, and she ran out of the tent and called out to Mr Storer. She only stopped to see Mr Storer start to swim out and wont to a Mrs Gunn’s for further assistance. When she came out of the tent she saw the girls struggling, but did not think they were drowning. They were about half-way across, and Lena was struggling and calling out. She could not see any more, and she ran away up the hill. She thought that they must have attempted to return lower down the channel, and the tide there was very strong with a swift current running. The deceased crossed hand-in-hand, and were doubtless returning the same way. Evidence having been given by Constable Bell, stationed at Port Chalmers, as to the finding of the body of Annie Storer by a man named Muir, the jury returned a verdict of “Accidentally drowned.” -Evening Star, 16/2/1889.
In Memoriam.
Storer. — In loving memory of my dear Annie and Lena, who were accidentally drowned while bathing at Hooper's Inlet, on the 14th February, 1889; aged 22 and 18 years. — Inserted by their sorrowing mother, Mary Storer. -Evening Star, 14/2/1891.
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