Robert Bruce Stanton, (1871-18/7/1926). "crossing the bar"

FISHERMAN DROWNED.

LAUNCH UPSET ON BAR. 

(press association telegram.) DUNEDIN, July 18. 

Robert Bruce Stanton, fisherman, aged 55 years, a married man with two children, residing at Karitane, was drowned through a launch capsizing on the Karitane bar. The launch was found washed up on the beach. The police are searching for the body, but it has not yet been found.  -Press, 19/7/1926.

ACCIDENTS AND DEATHS

DROWNED ON BAR. 

An inquest was held on Saturday into the circumstances of the death of Robert Bruce Stanton, a fisherman, who was drowned at the mouth of the Waikouaiti River on July 18. A portion of the body was recovered on Saturday morning, and the remainder yesterday. Mr H. W. Bundle, S.M., sat as coroner. 

Mr Harper, who found the body of the deceased, said that Stanton on the day of his death went out crayfishing. There was a heavy swell and a strong fresh from the river. When deceased was returning a heavy sea struck his launch as he was crossing the bar. The vessel was overturned, and the deceased was swept into the water. 

Mr Taine, of Karitane, who was the only eye-witness of the tragedy, said he noticed that something was amiss. He called out, and his calls attracted another fisherman named Kirkwood, who made to return across the bar to the scene of the accident. 

Mr Kirkwood said he heard Taine’s call, and turned back, but by this time the launch had righted itself, and to witness appeared to be proceeding under its own power. He could see no sign of deceased in the water, and therefore assumed that everything was all right. 

Constable Hayward said he had made inquiries, and as far as could be ascertained Taine was the only eye-witness of the tragedy. It was clear that Kirkwood had been under the impression that things were all right. 

The Coroner said that from the evidence before him he could only come to the conclusion that the deceased, who was inexperienced in the navigation of the bar, had set out in an unsuitable vessel on a day when conditions were dangerous. The boat had overturned in the swell at the bar. He would return a verdict that deceased was accidentally drowned while attempting to negotiate the Waikouaiti Heads on July 18.  -Evening Star, 6/9/1926.

Karitane Cemetery.