EXPERIENCE OF THE BOAT'S CREW.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXIII, Issue 8965, 12 October 1914, Page 2

EXPERIENCE OF THE BOAT'S CREW.

DANNEVIR-KE, October 11

' Particulars received from Porangahaii show tjiat the. boat which left .the disabled steamer Kini, containing the second mate (Mr. Dalgleish), three seamen, and two firemen, had a very hard and exciting 1, time before reaching the land at Blackhead. The boat left the Kini at 1 p.m. on Thursday, and the crew had to pull all the way to the land, being in the boat forty-five hours. They arrived oft' Blackhead at 8 o'clock on /-Friday night, and sheltered there all night. On account of the westerly gale the occupants of the boat were afraid of being'blown out to sea, and they had a trying time in keeping close to the beach. About 11 p.m. the crew got into a. dangerous position amongst the rocks, through being unawere of their whereabouts, and they only got clear by strenuous oxevtton in the nick of time. They did not know until 'the morning exactly where they were. "When morning came," said Mr Dalgleish, "I had to beach the boat on account of tho westerly wind again coming up, and we were again afraid ■of being blown to sea. I could do nothing more, as every man was knocked up. None of us were worth twopence when we got ashore. On top of the hard work of rowing continuously, none of.us had any sleep from the time we left the Kini. We were i just on our last legs." Up to the time of telegraphing nothing had been seen- or heard of the Kini at Porangahau. The men who landed slept for 18 hours on end, and are now quite recovered from their long pull and trying experiences. They are at present enjoying the hospitality of Mr G. Hunter, and speak in tho highest terms of praise of tho treatment they have received.