A TEMPESTUOUS VOYAGE

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 140, 20 July 1914, Page 8

A TEMPESTUOUS VOYAGE

LAUNCH'S PERILOUS PASSAGE. , ONE VESSEL ABANDONED. CREW SUFFER- PRIVATIONS. A sensational story of a trying experience while at sea was brought to Lyttelton on Saturday evening when the steamer Petone arrived in port bringing in tow the launch Jean Wilson, which is owned and utilised as a fishing vessel by Mr H. Wilson, of Christchurch. Soon word flew round that the Kingfisher, another launch, recently acquired by Mr Wilson, had been abandoned on the way from Kaikoura. Mr Wilson and his comrades certainly had a most unenviable experience. They were "buffeted by the sea|*"ever since leaving Amuri Bluff, and, in addition, were a long period without water. Some particulars of the passage up were supplied to a SUN representative by a member of the party yesterday. At 3 p.m. on Thursday the two launches left Amuri Bluff, each running Under its own power, and a tow line connecting them. The Jean Wilson was leading. Oh the Kingfisher were Mr H. Wilson, owner of the two crafts, and Mr H. Gardiner (Lyttelton); on the Jean Wilson, Messrs C. Kelly (Lyttelton), A. Olsen (Lyttfclton), and J. Gooch (Kaikoura). All went well- after leaving Amuri Bluff until 10 p.m. on the Thursday night, when a dirty sou'-east sea began to rise and the wind freshened from the westward.' It was decided to put sail on the Jean Wilson, and the mainsail was also hoisted on the,JKingfisher. REAL TROUBLE. The first inkling of trouble came at 2.30 on Friday morning, when one of the tow line springs carried away on the Jean Wilson. The mainsail of the Kingfisher was lowered, so that she would act as a sea anchor to her consort. A new spring was put on, and while this was being done both boats were being driven towards the southeast. The spring-fixed, both boats got under way again. i More trouble was in store. The engine of the Kingfisher suddenly began racing, and an examination revealed that the propeller had gone. A jury propeller was rigged, but then it was discovered that Ahe couplings of the tail shaft were missing. That left the Kingfisher with only sail power to carry her on, though the Jean Wilson, with her engines goings still had her in tow. i WATER IN THE PETROL. | Then* came one of the worst disasters. In refilling the Jean Wilson's petrol tanks at -about 4.30 on the Friday morning,, salt rwatei? got in, and the engines some struggling the. engines, jjotv-going again, but at 8 o'clock the engin.es stopped for good and all, Both boats, then proceeded under sail.' The gaie had increased in violence, and Gardiner dropped the Kingfisher's anchor. A They decided to wait for a change in the weather j but'the sea only grew more turbulent, and the Jean Wilson began to come down on to the Kingfisher with the heavy sea. Gardiner, called Mr Wilson up and told him to jump aboard, the Jeait. Wilson and try to effect some repairs to the engine. Mr Wilson, however, refused to do so unless Gardiner also came aboard the larger vessel. On one occasion the Jean Wilson was thrown heavily ; against the Kingfisher's bow, breaking some of her own bulwarks, and then it was decided to abandon the Kingfisher. Gardiner jumped aboard, aind Wilson followed. The tow'line Qiitj tod the Kingfisher left witfr 'her' khtehor down and an ensign ati compass and a considerable qiiantity of fishing gear was necessarily abandoned: The relinquishing of the Kingfisher took plaee about 45 miles south-east of Stonyhurst. THE ENGINE DISABLED.

On board the Jean Wilson, Mr Wilson set about the engine, but could do nothing with it. The mainsail was hoisted, and the boat wore round on the starboard tack. They ran from 1.30 till 4.30 that afternoon north-west, within a mile and a half of Conway, and then wore round on the port tack and proceeded out to sea again. From 4.30 to midnight they must have drifted until they found themselves abreast of Kaikoura. At 12 o'clock the wind moderated, and at 2 o'clock in the morning the Jean Wilson set off for Lyttelton with a leading wind. At 3 o'clock the two reefs in the mainsail were taken out and all sail made for Lyttelton. Good headway was made till 6.30 a.m., 'When Cheviot Point was sighted. The wind held until 8.30, bringing them within 20 miles of Lyttelton Heads, when it changed again to sou '-east, and they had to beat about till 3 o 'clock in the afternoon, making little progress. At 3 o'clock the Petone was sighted, and the Jean Wilson signalled to be taken in tow. When the Kingfisher was abandoned a quantity of fresh water had to be left behind, and as the Jean Wilson's supply had given out the party were beginning to feel the pangs of thirst very much. Solid food there was in plenty. On the Petone's coming alongside on<%Saturday afternoon a bucket of water was handed down to the thirsty mariners, who gulped it down with avidity, after being some thirty hours without it. The experiment had been tried of concocting a brew of salt water and tea, but the result can be imagined. The Petone arrived at Lyttelton shortly before 6 o'clock on the Saturday evening. Tho Kingfisher is fitted with a 14 h.p. "Noble" engine. She has a length of 33ft, and a 10ft beam. Mr Wilson places her value at £3(50. The Jean Wilson is a larger boat, 41.ft long and lift wide. She is fitted with a 14 h.p. Anderson marine oil engine.