Just back from the Library. George was alone. I have printed out some articles if required. (Wallaroo Times and The Peoples Weekly.
Kadina andWallaroo Times Wed June 2TRAGEDY OF THE SEA
MOONTA FISHERMAN LOST IN STORM
Periodically the sea takes its toll of the men whom the need to earn a living forces them forces upon the sea all kinds of weather. Week days or Sundays, if conditions allow it, they venture forth in their little skiffs to earn a livlihood on the uncertain waters.
Thus on Sunday last, May 30, Mr George NEWTWIG, a married man of 49, with two children, met his sad end in the course of following his calling. He had gone out towards the South in his boat, by himself, and was last seen between what is called the "Gap" and Cape Elizabeth. The wind was strong, and from the North, and quite a number of other boats from Moonta and Sims Cove were also out. The sea, although somewhat boisterous in the morning, calmed down considerably towards late afternoon, with the wind, however, in practically the same quarter. The sky had been fairly clear until then, but a bank of dun clouds was noticed about 4.30, and these moved towards the land rapidly. Obviously, a change was coming, although the south-west is not the usual quarter for anything definite in the way of a storm. Shortly before 5 o'clock a number of fishing boats were observed coming home and passing Port Hughes, the wind by this time having already increased. Two motor boats also made haste for shelter, and it appeared as if all the boats had taken warning in time to miss the squall.
A little after 5 o'clock the wind was blowing fiercely, and the clouds looked most promising for rain. White forces topped the waves, and all cars that had made a rendezvous of the beach were well on their way home when the squall struck the land. Dense dust blew over the fallow land, and the rain followed.
It was in this squall that the unfortunate Mr Newtwig was caught, about 6 miles from Moonta, and when last seen, he had the engine working and the sails up. It is surmised that the boat was driven on some of the adjacent reefs, for nothing has been seen of it since. The assumption is that Mr Newtwig was drowned in the strong surf.
Search was begun early on Monday morning by Sergeant Jury and a number of fishermen, but only portions of wreckage, hatches and the engine box were found south of Pt Hughes and at Mangrove Point, Warburto. Another search was made on Tuesday but without any hope of finding Mr Newtwig alive. Indeed the high sea that accompanied the squall would have prevented even the strongest swimmer of reaching safety.
Cheers Kris
