LAUNCH ADRIFT

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 58, Issue 195, 31 May 1938, Page 6

LAUNCH ADRIFT

RESCUE BY SUMNER LIFEBOAT. A THREE DAYS ORDEAL. BLOWN OUT OF SIGHT OF LAND. (Per Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, This Day. The Sumner lifeboat crew last night rescued a big fishing launch, the Rosa Marie, which had been adrift for three days. The Rosa Marie, which was recently purchased by the South Sea Fishing Company for fishing at the Chatham Islands, was oil her way from Port Chalmers to Lyttelton. Two Port Chalmers men, Messrs J. J.*Atbernethy and A. Mitchell, comprised the crew. The launch left Port Chalmers on Thursday morning and left Tim am at 1 p.ni, on Friday. The crew's troubles started when the engine broke down off Akaroa Heads during the night. The launch was blown out of sight of land. Hard work by the crew was successful in starting the engine again on Saturday, and when a landfall was made off Le Bons Bay a. course was set for Lyttelton.

When the petrol ran out soon afterwards sail was set and at 9 p.m. on Saturday night the anchor was dropped about seven miles off Lyttelton Heads. Improvised flares were lit but these failed to attract attention. A light breeze enabled the launch to make her way close in-shore yesterday afternoon, and finally she drifted into Sumner Bay at 6.25 p.m.

The signalman at the Adderley Head signal station sighted what he thought might he signals from a small vessel, and at his instance the alarm was given. The motor lifeboat Rescue 11., the only one of its type in New Zealand, located the launch after an hour’s search and towed her to Lyttelton. The two vessels arrived in port at about 9.45 p.m.