MELANCHOLY ACCIDENTS
THREE LIVES LOST IN THE BAY.
Yesterday, the citizens were thrown into a sad state of excitement by the announcement that during the morning two accidents had happened, and that in each there had been lives lost. At first the story was hardly believed, but it proved too true; and St Andrew's Day will for a long time to come be remembered with sorrow by many. The day opened so beautiful and bright that it created a wish for pleasure, even among those who had not before thought of it, and there was an almost entire cessation from business. But when the news of the death of three young men by drowning was told and realised, there was no heart for enjoyment. The following are the particulars of the accidents: —
About half-past seven o'clock in the morning two young men, Mr John Taylor and Mr William Mackintosh, went out for a row in the bay in a boat which they had hired. She was leaky, and when near Pelichet Bay jetty they found that she was filling fast They exerted every effort to reach the jetty, but there being a very heavy sea on they could not reach the place of safety. They were also unable to bale out the boat, and as she filled she sank, and then turned over. For some time, both the unfortunate young men clung to the boat, but Mr Taylor — who was a good swimmer, struck out for the shore, and was drowned before assistance could be rendered. Dr. Burns and a Mr Wood were on the jetty at the time, and they rescued Mackintosh, who had wisely continued to cling to the boat. Mr Mackintosh is in the employment of Mr Johnston, George street, and Mr Taylor is a brother-in-law of Mr Clapperton, Princes street, being engaged as assistant to Mr Brown, draper, Princes street. His body has not yut been recovered.
At about half-past, ten o'clock a party of six young men started from the jetty on a pleasure excursion to Portobello. Their names were — Mr Corrigan, of the Bank of Otago, Messrs Cottrell and Buisson, of the Bank of New Zealand, Mr R. J. Macdonnell, of the Customs, Mr Joseph Kempthorne, of the Bank of New South Wales, and Mr Pidwell. They were in Mr Kempthorne's boat, the Stranger, and Mr Pidwell was coxswain, the rest pulling. It was blowing a gale from the S. W., and this, with the tide running up, caused a very heavy sea. The boat proceeded safely to Black Jack's Point; but there she shipped water. Mr Pidwell thought that she was too heavy forward, and went right aft himself, fastening the tiller line to his foot. He had hardly done so, when a heavy sea came over the starboard side, and then another struck her, and she immediately sunk, and on rising to the surface, she turned bottom upwards. Mr McDonnell urged upon all to stick to the boat, and all did so but Mr Pidwell and Mr Kempthorne. They struck out for the shore, each having an oar. Those who remained by the boat saw Mr Kempthorne and Mr Pidwell for, as they thought, about 15 minutes, and then one of this oars was observed to go suddenly up, and the swimmers were lost to sight. In the meantime, the four on the boat were in extreme danger. The boat turned over and over with them, the heavy seas washed over them and caused them, to lose their hold, and it was with the utmost difficulty that they managed to regain it when lost. They were fast becoming exhausted when they were observed by Mr Winton, a resident on this side of the Bay. He summoned some fishermen to the aid of the men struggling in the water, and they, with the help of some men engaged cutting a road, launched a big boat and proceeded to the rescue. They arrived in time, and all the four were saved. In taking them ashore the crew kept a good look out, but nothing could be seen of Mr Pidwell or Mr Kempthorne. The rescued men were taken to Mr Winton's house, and there they received every attention and kindness. Refreshments and clothes were provided for them. While they were changing their clothes, an oar, with something clinging to it was observed, and the boat being again launched, the body of Mr Pidwell was recovered. Every attempt was made to restore life, but without avail. Mr Pidwell was a native of Cornwall, was about 27 years of age, and had been about seven months in the colony. He was very much esteemed, as also was Mr Kempthorne, whose body has not yet been found. Some search was made for it, and for the body of Mr Taylor, who was lost in the former accident, but there being such a heavy sea on, the search was only partial arid proved unsuccessful. This morning it will be renewed, when drags are to bet used. An inquest will, we believe, be held to-day on the body of Mr Pidwell. -Otago Daily Times, 1/12/1868.
DEATHS
On the 30th November — drowned in Dunedin Harbour — John Lawrence Pidwell, aged 27. -Otago Daily Times, 2/12/1868.
An inquest was held on the body of the late Mr Pidwell yesterday, before the Coroner, Mr T. M. Hocken. Evidence detailing particulars of the melancholy event was given, and the jury returned a verdict of Accidental Death. Yesterday morning. Captain Dickie, Sergeant Deane. Messrs John and Frederick Paterson, and Mr James McKinley, watermen, proceeded in search of the missing bodies. The heavy sea compelled them to beach the boat. In the evening they again returned to the task, and dragged for two hours without success. The party start out again this morning. -Otago Daily Times, 2/12/1868.
FUNERAL NOTICE.
THE remains of the late John Lawrence Pidwell will leave his late residence, Maitland street, This Day, at one p.m. Friends will please accept of this intimation. -Otago Daily Times, 2/12/1868.
MORE SOLAR SPOTS
To the Editor of the Otago Daily Times.
Sir — I regret to have to refer to a painful topic; but in simple justice to those who cannot vindicate themselves, I must attract the attention of the public, through your columns, to the shameful reference which the Daily Sun makes to one of those gentlemen who were drowned through the accident off Black Jack's Point yesterday. "Mr Pidwell," the Daily Sun says, "was an assistant dentist." Mr Pidwell, poor fellow, was a gentleman possessed of considerable means, part of which he had invested here, and a greater part on the Waimea Plains in Southland, and, doubtless, never heard of Mr Boot.
It is true, the Editor of the Sun says, "wo believe Mr Pittwell (as he calls him) was an assistant;'' but I, with many others, take leave to think that that Editor's "belief" in anything passes for nothing.
I am, &c, Flora. -Otago Daily Times, 2/12/1868.
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