FORCED BACK.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 135, 10 June 1938, Page 5

FORCED BACK.

DARING VOYAGER i I ATTEMPT TO REACH TONGA.' CHRONOMETER IS SMASHED. Caught in a cyclonic storm which smashed the chronometer watch, and beaten and buffeted in gales and heavy seas for three days, the 21ft ketchrigged yacht Farys, in which Mr. E. J. Weber set out single-handed on a cruise to Tonga on May 11, had to put back to New Zealand after 22 days at sea. The craft is now at Kerikeri, Bay of Islands. Mr. Weber, who arrived in New Zealand from Tahiti some time ago, held the honour of sailing into Auckland Harbour what was stated to be the smallest ocean-going craft ever to enter the port from abroad. He left New Zealand again on May 11 on 'a new cruise to Tonga, his intention being to make way towards the east at first, pass south of the Kermadecs and then turn northward on a run to Tongatabu with fair trade winds. The length of the cruise was approximately 1200 miles, 200 miles longer than the straight-line distance, but Mr. Weber expected to get more favourable winds on this route, and therefore make a shorter passage. For the first few days the Farys struck fair weather and light southerly winds, but on the sixth day the wind began to veer to the eastward, increasing in force. Sails had to be reefed, and a few hours later it was necessary to |heave-to. This was not enough, however, and a sea anchor was pirt out. Chronometer Smashed. On the ninth day a disaster occurred in the midst of a storm. While Mr. Weber was winding up the watch used as a chronometer, a vicious wave struck the boat. He was hurled from one side to the other, and the watch was knocked out of his hand to the floor, the spring being broken. It was the only reliable timepiece on board, and its loss made it

impossible to navigate among the dangerous reefs surrounding Tonga and Fiji. After some hesitation, Mr. Weber decided to abandon the cruise and return to New Zealand. The Btonn during which this happened was the w.orst ever encountered by the Farys. It lasted for three days and was of a cyclonic character, the wind making the complete turn of the windrose. Craft Hove-to. The return was much less lucky than the trip out. During the four days after the storm the weather was fine and the winds favourable, but a change brought strong westerlies, which blew for six days. For the greater part of the time the Farys was hove-to. Whenever possible, Mr. Weber tried to sail his boat in order not to be blown away from the coast, but in spite of his efforts it was impossible to make any headway. | It was a trying experience to bej within 24 hours' fair wind sailing distance from the coast and not be able, to get there without such delay. After this stormy week, however, the force of the wind decreased and the Bay of Islands was reached last week after 22 days of lonely sailing, in which nearly 1000 miles by log were covered.

As winter is approaching Mr. Weber has decided to remain in New Zealand until spring. He will stay in Kerikeri for a time before coming down to Auckland.