ANOTHER SERIOUS ACCIDENT.
A shocking accident happened yesterday afternoon to Captain Duncan Matheson, of the vessel Omaha. Matheson, with his son and a man named Darrah, were on board the newly launched schooner, Three Cheers, lying at the Railway wharf. The three were employed in lifting a heavy boom which was being triced up to do service as a derrick. The strap which hooked the tackle to the slipped when the heavy spar was 20 feet above the deck. It fell on Matheson, grazing his shoulder, and knocking him down jammed his legs close to the deck. The spar was removed, and on the arrival of Dr Honeyman both legs were pronounced to be broken, and the shoulder dislocated. The sight was a most painful one, the leg being smashed at the ankle, the bone protruding. The right leg was fractured above the knee. The sufferer was conveyed to the Hospital, and his condition ameliorated as far as possible. Strange to say, he remained conscious, and bore the excruciating pain of his injuries with scarcely a groan. Matheson is an old and respected colonist. He is over 60 years of age. From inquiries made at the Hospital today, we learn that the unfortunate man is in a very low state. His recovery is regarded as almost hopeless. Should he live, amputation of both legs will be necessary. -Auckland Star, 28/3/1882.
SHOCKING ACCIDENT TO CAPT. DUNCAN MATHESON.
Yesterday, between 4 and 5 p.m., Capt. Duncan Matheson, of Omaha, his son Roderick, and Mr. Darrach were employed on board the new schooner Three Cheers, lying at the Railway Wharf, fitting her spars, &c. As they were lifting the end of the fore boom which was being triced for a derrick by means of a tackle leading to the masthead, the strop which hooked the tackle to the boom, when up about 20 feet, slipped off, and the boom descended to the deck, falling on Captain Matheson, who stood below, the ponderous spar crushing the unfortunate man to the deck, close to the combings of the hatchway. Assistance was at once rendered him, and a medical man sent for, the first to arrive being Dr. Honeyman. The doctor pronounced that both legs were broken and a shoulder dislocated. The poor sufferer presented a pitiable, heartrending sight. Men who have had much experience in accidents say they never saw a more painful one; yet Captain Matheson, who was quite conscious, bore the trial with amazing fortitude, uttering scarcely a groan. He said to the doctor, "Make as good a job as you can of it." His legs were sewn up, and he was placed on a stretcher, and conveyed to the hospital in an express, accompanied by Constable Foreman, where he received immediate attention from Dr. Cooper, Dr. Philson not being at hand. His condition was shocking. The left leg was broken at the ankle, the foot being pushed aside, the bone protruding a considerable distance, leaving a space into which one's hand might be thrust. The right leg was smashed just above the knee. Behind the knee the flesh was torn open. The joints seemed to be severed from each other, leaving the upper one visible. His left shoulder was broken, and there was a nasty wound above the right eye. When being conveyed to the hospital he complained a good deal of a pain in his chest. It was thought both legs would require to be amputated. Captain Matheson is an old and much respected settler. He was a strong hearty man, of probably over 60 years. -NZ Herald, 28/3/1882.
SHIPPING
The vessels in harbour and all the business places in town possessing flagstaffs hung flags half-mast yesterday as a tribute of respect for the late Captain Duncan Matheson, who died from injuries received on board the schooner Three Cheers. -NZ Herald, 30/3/1882.
THE LATE CAPTAIN MATHESON.
The late Captain Duncan Matheson, who met an untimely end on board his schooner, Three Cheers, was an old colonist of excellent character. Though thrifty and hard in his dealings, he was thoroughly respected for his honesty and integrity. He was a sterling, upright man. He was born in Rosshire, Scotland, and while a very young man, emigrated to Cape Breton, North America. There he and a brother sailed vessels, besides building one or two, during several years' residence. In December, 1856, he left America for this colony in the brigantine Spray, which he fitted up with passenger accommodation, arriving in 1857. Selling his vessel, he took up some land at Omaha, and continued his business of shipbuilding as well. In 1864, he finished the schooner Saucy Lass, of 39 tons. Captain D. L. McKenzie a few days ago received a letter from a Southern gentleman, who is now her owner, that quite recently the schooner was opened out and examined, and found to be as sound as when built, 18 years ago. Having sold her, he built the Coquette, which he sailed and held an interest in, until she was lost at Fiji. The Coquette made probably the quickest passage round Tiri ever accomplished, the time occupied being, we believe, about 5 hours. The brigantine Ryno was next built, which he also retained an interest in, and sailed himself until she was disposed of, Messrs. Henderson and Macfarlane being her present owners. Some six years ago he went to America, and there bought the brigantine Oceola, now the property of Captain D. H. McKenzie, on the stocks, and brought her out to Lyttelton, timber laden, and subsequently sailed her round the coast for some time. About three years ago he began the Three Cheers, which is just finished. No better vessels were ever turned out of Auckland than Captain Matheson's. They combined sailing qualities with carrying capacity, and the workmanship was perfection. The record is not numerous, but he could truly have boasted of quality unsurpassed. The deceased gentleman was a good colonist, being a hard worker. He leaves two sons and two daughters, all grown up. -NZ Herald, 30/3/1882.
THE LATE CAPT. MATHESON.
INQUEST.
An inquest was held yesterday, by Dr. Goldsbro, on the body of Captain Matheson who was injured by a falling spar on board the schooner Three Cheers, on Monday last. Mr. Alfred Tyer was chosen foreman of the jury. Dr. Philson deposed: Deceased, Duncan Matheson, master mariner, aged 60 years, was brought to the Hospital on Monday, 27th inst., about 5.30 p.m., with a compound dislocation backwards of the right knee, the lower head of the thigh bone having been protruded into the ham through a transverse rent in the skin six inches long. There was also a compound comminuted fracture of the left ankle. These injuries wore said to have been caused by the falling of a boom on board the schooner Three Cheers, at the Railway Wharf, from a height of 20 feet. There was also a scalp wound over the right eye. Deceased was quite sensible, and stated that the occurrence was accidental — that there was no one to be blamed but himself. Deceased was greatly depressed from the shock and loss of blood, and was deemed unadvisable to amputate the injured limbs until reaction should take place. The pulse was weak and soft, and the right leg below the knee was cold. The dislocations were easily reduced, and the wounds bound up. Brandy and water were administered, and hot tins applied, to the feet. In the course of the night vomiting set in, and next morning no reaction had occurred. There was incessant vomiting, pulse very feeble, surface cold, consultation was held, and operative proceedings were again deferred, but the vital powers never revived, and death took place on Wednesday morning at 12.40, about 31 hours after admission, On post mortem examination, the popliteal artery (an artery behind the knee) was found ruptured within the sheath, and the popliteal vein lacerated. All the hamstrings were torn across. The left ankle was a complete mass of broken bones. There were no other injuries. The heart was dilated and fatty. The cause of death was shock and debility from loss of blood.— John James Jackson, seaman, deposed to the circumstances under which deceased met his death. Deceased did not blame anyone for the occurrence. — Roderick Matheson, son of deceased, deposed that his father fitted the rope to the boom, and blamed no person for the accident. Deceased was a sober man, and was quite sober at the time of the accident. — A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.
THE FUNERAL.
The funeral of the late Captain Matheson took place at 3 o'clock from the hospital. Amongst those present were Captains J. Smith, John McKenzie, J. McKenzie (Deputy Harbourmaster), Jones, Nearing, Hooker, Elliott, D. H. McKenzie, H. Anderson, Buick, Ayres, Seymour, and Rattray. Nearly all the master shipwrights and builders in Auckland were present. The brother and two sons of deceased were also present, and followed the remains of Captain Matheson to his last resting place. The Rev. R. P. Macnicol read the burial service. -NZ Herald, 31/3/1882.
Symonds Street Cemetery, Auckland.
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