August, 1844.
On the 24th August, 1844, a tender belonging to Her Majesty's
surveying-vessel 'Beacon,' in charge of Mr. W. C. Geary, mate, was
occupied in taking soundings in the Gulf of Egeria. In reefing the
mainsail, the iron strop round the gaff, to which the peak-halliards
are hooked, was carried away, and the gaff, in descending, struck
John M'Cardle, seaman, who was standing to leeward, so violently on
the head, that he was stunned, and fell overboard. Mr. Geary, who
was abaft, immediately jumped after him, and getting hold of him
under his arm, succeeded in keeping his head above water until picked
up by a boat sent from the vessel.