DOUBLE TRAGEDY
Fishermen Drowned
TAIERI MOUTH BAR
Two men were drowned at Taieri Mouth yesterday when returning from a fishing trip. The tragedy occurred about 2 p.m. They were: —
James McKenzie, single, aged 45, a fisherman, of Taieri Mouth.
Roy Waller, aged 25, married, with two children fisherman, also of Taieri Mouth.
The men left in the boat, which was owned by McKenzie, on Saturday afternoon. After anchoring at sea, they were seen approaching the bar at the mouth of the river yesterday afternoon. No eye-witness account of the actual tragedy was available last night, but it is thought that the boat, which was heavily loaded, capsized while crossing the bar and that both men were swept away in the treacherous current at the river mouth. The launch drifted the quarter of a mile to the beach and with the assistance of local fishermen, the police pulled it to the shore. A fairly heavy sea was running at the time and there was no sign of the bodies. The police are maintaining a patrol of the area.
Taieri Mouth has had an unenviable record for drownings and near fatalities in the past few years. The currents are treacherous and boats attempting to negotiate the bar are often swept on to it by a “false” wave followed quickly by a type of breaker which is liable to capsize a laden vessel. -Otago Daily Times, 18/9/1950.
In spite of intensive dragging activities and searches along the coast, the bodies of the two fishermen, James McKenzie and Roy Wohlers, who were drowned at Taieri Mouth last Sunday, have not been recovered. At the sacrifice of time and income, other fishermen from Taieri Mouth have been dragging for the bodies. On Tuesday afternoon four boats were out for over three hours and, again yesterday morning, unsuccessful attempts were made to locate the bodies. A resident of the district commented yesterday that these recovery efforts were greatly appreciated, as people knew that good fishing opportunities were being lost. -Otago Daily Times, 21/9/1950.
DEATHS
WOHLERS. — On September 17, 1950, at Taieri Mouth, Roy, beloved husband of Margaret Wohlers, Taieri Mouth, in his twenty-fifth year. — The Funeral will leave our Chapel, 78 St. Andrew street, Today (Thursday), the 9th inst., at the conclusion of a service commencing at 10 a.m., for the Anderson’s Bay Cemetery. — Hope and Kinaston, funeral directors.
WOHLERS. — On September 17, 1950 (accidentally drowned), at Taieri Mouth, Roy Albert, beloved only son of Edward and Alice Wohlers, 66 Melbourne street, South Dunedin, and loved brother of Myrtle (Mrs Burgess), Marion (Mrs Parker), and Iris (Mrs Everest); in his twenty-fifth year. Deeply mourned. -Otago Daily Times, 9/11/1950.
ACCIDENTAL DROWNING
Inquest On Taieri Mouth Victims
“The Taieri Mouth bar has been the scene of previous drowning and it is dangerous at certain times.” This statement was made by Constable W. Devine, of Green Island, in giving evidence yesterday at the adjourned inquest in the circumstances surrounding the deaths of two fishermen, James Edward McKenzie, single, aged 43, and Roy Albert Wohlers, married, aged 24, who lost their lives when a launch capsized on the bar on the afternoon of Sunday, September 17. The coroner, Mr J. D. Willis, S.M., returned a verdict of accidental drowning.
Mr B. A. Quelch appeared for the executors of the estate of McKenzie and Mr D. J. Simpson for the dependents of Wohlers. The inquiry was conducted by Sergeant C. E. W. Black. Evidence was given by Margaret Elizabeth Wohlers that her husband left home at 6.30 a.m. on September 16. He was employed by the other deceased. Her husband could swim only a few strokes. The capsizing of the launch was described by Vida Lusk, who said that she had a good view of the bar from her home. The launch approached the bar from the south and she later saw it capsize and the two men in the water. -Otago Daily Times, 24/11/1950.
Andersons Bay Cemetery, Dunedin.
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