A WILD NIGHT.

Auckland Star, Volume LIII, Issue 95, 22 April 1922, Page 7

A WILD NIGHT.

GALE IST COOK STRAIT. FISHING PARTY'S TRYING EXPERIENCE. (By Telezraph. —Press Association.l WELLINGTON, this day. Four men, named L. and R. Johnston, Tate, and Colvin. cf Island Bay, spent a trying time on Thursday night- in the Strait with a heavy nor'-wester blowing. They went out on Thursday morning with other fishing craft from Island Bay to the fishing grounds. As the day progressed the weather showed signs of becoming wild, and all but the Johnstons' boat, the Noma, returned. Johnston decided to follow just before dusk, but something went wrong with the .engine, and the boat had to be put under sail. She weathered the Point at Island Bay, but as it was feared the wind would carry the canvas away if they tried to enter t.ue bay the Noma stood across to Palliser Bay, and found an anchorage off Riddiford's station.

The crew had good shelter in _ comfortable cabin, with plenty of fresh water but no food. Th« Noma rode out tire gale till 9 o'clock on Friday morning. Then she started homeward under sail. Other fishing craft had been out searching for her, and during the forenoon one picked the Noma up and towed her to Island Bay. The Noma proved an excellent sea boat, and brought in a good cargo of fish. One boat, the St, Marco, in charge of Tate's brother, spent the long night in the yild smother of Cook Strait searching for the missing craft.