Thomas Henry Vivian MOYLE

   Research Notes:

Death by Drowning at Morgan

An inquest was held before Mr. G. Brunskill, J.P., on Wednesday, November 12, at the "Commercial Hotel", Morgan, on the body of Thomas H. V. Moyle, a lad of 17 years, the son of Mr. John Moyle of that place, who was drowned with a man named George Walker in a large lagoon near the North-West Bend Station, in the gale on Monday afternoon.
James Stuart, a fisherman who was giving evidence, said, "I recognised the body as that of Thomas H. V. Moyle. He and the man, Walker, came to my camp between one and two p.m. on Monday, and we went out on the river with the intention of having a day's sport. We all got into my boat and crossed the river, and went into the lagoon where we spent an hour or two shooting ducks.
A shower came on and we sheltered under a bush; and after it was over we thought of starting for home. All four, including John Miller who had also gone hunting with us, entered the boat and got half-way across the lagoon when heavy rain began to fall. I saw the wind was coming and pulled for the shore. But when we were only 150 yards from the shore, a fierce wind struck us.
I could not continue the course for shore, so put the boat's head into the wind and let her drift stern first. I cautioned the others not to move, but told Miller to get thepannikin and bail out any water she might ship.
She ran in the same direction for another 400-500 yards, but I realised the boat was sinking, so told all hands to jump out and keep hold of the boat while they were in the water. I leaped out myself, and when I rose to the surface they were all in the water. The boat then surfaced and we all got hold of her and clung to her for some time.
The deceased managed to climb on the bottom of the boat, which was upside down. I asked him to come to my side, and assisted him to do so, but found that Walker had grabbed hold of him from the other side of the boat. I told Miller to clear Walker and pushed the deceased over; but while we were attempting to do this a wave struck us, turning the boat half over and throwing us all off.
On coming to the surface, I found the boat had drifted some yards to the leeward. I swam to the boat, but could not see deceased, nor did I see him afterwards. I think it probable that deceased was struck by some portion of the boat. I saw Wlalker struggle for about five minutes, then sink.
After hanging to the boat with Miller, we drifted into shallower water and were able to push the boat ashore. I feel sure that Walker had hold of deceased when I saw Walker attempting to swim." ³