A sad case of drowning happened at St. Clair on Saturday evening between 5 and 6 o'clock. A boy named Samuel Cooper, aged between 13 and 14, had gone out to bathe, and for some reason did not go into the baths but amongst the breakers on the open beach. He was with a companion named Stephenson, and there were several other boys and some men also bathing in the breakers at the same time. No one appears to have noticed Cooper after he went into the water, but his clothes being noticed on the sands some time afterwards led to the belief that he must have been drowned. He could not swim, indeed he had only once previously been in the water; and it is probable that he at once became confused amongst the breakers, got beyond his depth after being knocked down, and was carried out to sea. The body has not been found. The deceased, who was the son of Mr William Cooper, carpenter, residing in Steep street, near Maitland street, was a smart, intelligent boy, and his sad fate is much deplored. It seems a pity that means are not taken to prevent boys from bathing on the open beach. Even in the calmest weather there is danger for them in the breakers, but seeing men swimming about they are naturally led to think there is no risk. It is to be hoped the sad occurrence of Saturday will prove a warning. -Otago Daily Times, 9/1/1885.
The thigh-bone of a young man, supposed to be that of Samuel Cooper, drowned at the Ocean Beach a fortnight ago, was picked up alongside the St. Clair baths yesterday afternoon. -Evening Star, 23/2/1885.
Southern Cemetery, Dunedin.
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