Charles Allan Nalder

Charles Allan Nalder
born at Long Ashton, Somerset, England July 25th 1848.
son of George William Nalder (solicitor) and Marianne Nalder nee Cooper.
drowned at Akaroa, Canterbury, New Zealand January 9th 1875.

Papers Past
Grey River Argus, Volume XVI, Issue 2010, 16 January 1875, Page 4
THE FATAL ACCIDENT AT AKAROA.

The following is a detailed account of this sad accident: — As has been already stated the yacht Ripple, which. was built at Port Chalmers, was brought to Lyttelton to compete at the late regatta in the yacht race, which she won. Mr Sayle, who was at the regatta as captain of the Akaroa four-oar crew, taking a fancy to the yacht, negotiated for and purchased her, got her unrigged and sent down to Akaroa by the Bruce on January 7. The day following her arrival at Akaroa, Mr Sims, one of the survivors of the accident, commenced to re-rig her, and finished his work on the 9th. Mr Sayle was very anxious and excited to get the work done so that he could have a trial trip of his purchase, and accordingly, in the afternoon, himself, Mr C. Allan Nalder, Mr A. Westenra of the Bank of New Zealand, and Mr Sims started for a cruise. The yacht was narrowly watched at starting and for some time afterwards by different persons on shore as she appeared to some who understood those matters not so stiff under canvas as she had been represented to be. At starting, two reefs were taken in the mainsail, and subsequently, another one, the jib being also replaced by a smaller sail. The wind at the time was from the north-east, blowing rather gustily and fresh on the Akaroa side of the bay ; on the opposite side it appeared as if the wind was stronger. The first part of the cruise was a run down the harbour past the buoy off Green's point, then a tack was made to windward, when the yacht fetched near Tikau Bay; she was then again put about, Mr Sayle was at the tiller and holding the mainsheet in his hand, when Mr Sims, noticing that she was heeling over too much, called out to Mr Sayle to let go the sheet. As this was not done, Mr Sims twice more made the same request, but Mr Sayle was as one paralysed looking at the others, but apparently unable to do what was required of him. The vessel heeling over more, the ballast shifted, and the yacht immediately filled and went down at, as near as the survivors can tell, about a mile from the shore, in some six fathoms of water. The four, who were all swimmers, having got clear of the vortex caused by the sinking vessel, at once struck out for the shore; : Mr Westenra and Mr Nalder being near each ether, and Mr Sims and Mr Sayle a little distance from them. As they swam, Mr Nalder addressed Mr Westenra more than once, and wished he could get his coat off, which Mr Westenra told him was impossible, but kept cheering him up with hopes of their reaching shore safely. Mr Westenra supposes they must have swam nearly half way to the shore when he heard a call from his fellow swimmer. He turned round and found he was alone, Mr Nalder having sunk to rise no more. At this time the beach was not to be seen, but struggling on, Mr Westenra at last reached the shore, exhausted and almost insensible. In the meantime, Mr Sims had kept near Mr Sayle, and they had been swimming some time, when Mr Sims noticed his companion apparently losing strength, and faltering and saying that he was afraid he could not keep on. Mr Sims then swam behind him, and catching hold of the serge coat, which Mr Sayle wore, held him up whilst still swimming towards the shore, until he found they were both sinking, and that he must let go, or else both go down together. Thoroughly exhausted, but reluctantly, Mr Sims let go his hold, and shortly after Mr Sayle must have sunk. At this time, Mr Sims knew nothing of the others. He had heard a cry which he thought came: from Mr Nalder, but whether one of encouragement or despair he could not tell. Resting a little, and getting himself free from his boots, he again commenced swimming towards shore, winch he ultimately, with great difficulty reached, and there found Mr Westenra.