Benjamin Coleman, (1810-1/10/1849). "she broached to"

 OTAGO.

(From the Otago News, October 6.) On Monday evening last, a melancholly and fatal accident occurred at the entrance of the Bay, near to Dunedin. It appears that Mr. T. S. Watson, of the Commercial Inn, had gone to Port Chalmers to transact some business  in the morning, which kept him till about 7 o'clock in the evening, when he began to feel anxious to return home. The wind was blowing very strong at the time from the N.E., and his friends endeavoured to persuade him to stay; but they could not prevail upon him. In the boat along with him was Benjamin Coleman of Otago, Thomas Harman, formerly apprentice in the barque Mary, and a man of the name of Hunter, who had the helm. When a little past the beacon, some dispute arose about the management of the boat, and in the confusion, she broached to, causing Watson and Coleman to fall on the lee gunwale, and the boat instantly capsized. Hunter, on emerging from the water, felt the grasp of Watson round his throat, and had to dive again to disengage himself. He again rose, and taking hold of Watson's coat collar, placed him with his hands clutching the stern of the boat. He then swam to were Harman was struggling, and with difficulty got him to hold on by the bow. Hunter then went to the stern to see if Watson was still there, but found he had sunk; he then went a little distance off, and swam round to the bow of the boat, when he found Harman had also sunk. Coleman was not seen, and the supposition is that the boat in capsizing took him down and drowned him before he could extricate himself. To save himself, Hunter was obliged to place his finger in the plug-hole, and drift with the boat ashore, which he reached about 12 o'clock, nearly exhausted. He then walked to Dunedin, and told his melancholy tale. Dr. Manning immediately engaged a crew, and searched the different bays near the ill-fated scene; but was obliged to return with the possession of the boat only, which was found anchored where Hunter had left it, with the plug out, and nearly full of water. Several boats have been daily employed since then in dragging the harbour, and using every means to obtain the missing bodies; but, unfortunately, without effect. The catastrophe has thrown a deep gloom over the town; the parties being so well known, their loss is deeply and generally lamented.  -Wellington Independant, 24/10/1849.

Melancholy Loss of Life at Otago. — On the 6th of October, at the entrance of the bay of Dunedin, a boat was upset, and Mr. T. J. Watson, of the Commercial Inn, Benjamin Coleman, of Otago, and Thomas Harman, formerly an apprentice in the barque Mary, were unfortunately drowned. The only one of the party who escaped was a man named Hunter, who managed to drift with the boat to shore, where he arrived about midnight nearly exhausted. The harbour was dragged, and every means to obtain the missing bodies employed without effect for several days; but on the 19th of October the bodies of Coleman and Harman were discovered, and on the 21st that of Watson. They were however sadly mutilated, and could scarcely have been recognised but for the clothes. The catastrophe had thrown a deep gloom over the town where the men were well known.  -New Zealander, 29/12/1849.

The remains of Benjamin Coleman, Thomas Watson and Thomas Harman lie in the Arthur Street Cemetery.

Arthur Street Cemetery, Dunedin.