ADRIFT AT SEA.

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 89, 14 April 1923, Page 6

ADRIFT AT SEA.

XSCBXE MEM IN A I-UXNCH. - -•, SUFFERINGS OF A FISHING PAKE"*, TWO DAYS WITHOUT WATER. . The members of the crew of the-, launch Maui, one of the many trait ' which are engaged in the fishing Indus- - try around the south coast of the North ..•** Island are said to have had an unenvi- _ able experience at the mercy of heavy' seas during Easter week. It is stated that after undergoing privations for some days, and after having lost their, boat, which lies a wreck on the eat* coast, they had to tramp many mile- inf.: a famished condition for assistance, and are now reported to have arrived in Wei- ; ling'on. ';';,:._; '3 The steam launch Maui sailed froai-> 'I Wellington on March 20 on a fishing ' expedition to the east coast, witb Wai--kokopu a3 her destination. The ere-f~ apparently consisted of three men, in- '.■ eluding the owner, Mr. C. Nichol, "of Wei-•:' lington, who was in charge. : Mr.' Nichol assured his friends before he that he would notify them on his arrival ' at Waikokopu or Castkpoint, aad, anxiety was naturally felt for the safety : of the party when the launch Venture, - '"■' which left Wellington some hours pra-. viously, arrived at that port before __■*-'/ Nichol's vesseL Anxiety was allayed, however, when private advice was re*ceived during Easter week-end that _* party were safe and well. In the meantime, it appears, from fk» brief details available, that the men had.' a very anxious time in a stormy sea,, trusting to Providence to drift t_M_ > ashore. Tbe launch is said to have kid a breakdown after leaving Wellington. Harbour, a.mishap occurring to the' denser, and for some days the ve_«V which was a stoutly built craft about , 30 feet in length, was tossed about at the -mercy of the* seas, which were ft*--•" quently heavy enough to endanger the lives of the men. Efforts were mads, to put the engine into commission again,.; but without avail. The occupants made distress signals on one occasion to Cape Pafliser, and it was hoped that a tug would be sent out to their sueeonr, but no response was received. They' also passed within hailing distance of a. coastal steamer, and though they mads every effort to attract the attention of those no board, they were again u_roecessful in securing assistance. For tire days the unfortunate men were without -water, and suffered very severely. At last they made the coast near Te Awaite, and managed to get ashore, abandoning the vessel, which is now understood. i~ be a complete wreck. It is sumuttJ that this in the launch referred to ia a Press Association telegram received from Maaterton, announcing that portions si wreckage' bad been washed up, apper* ently the remains of a launch that i*A received a severe buffeting. ' : ""5-- : '-' The landing place was an unfrequentei part of the coastline, and after walking about' five miles the men met a shepherd. By this time they ; were _ great distress, and could' hardly -pet]-. - In addition to their sufferings from hnger and thirst, one man bad been b*i ßy burned aa a result of the bursting of Urn ' vessel's boiler. They contrived to mate tbe stranger understand that __y wanted water, and he immediately wraii off and returned with a. paiinikin, it* contents of which' gave them am_t'» , .'"' v ' lief. "The trio Were then convey*!.t». Castlepbint,' and in djie course "mala their way back to Wellington. Another version of the adventure-b that the crew tried to go ashore aear Te Awaite for water for the engine, aa| that the launch was disabled upon t_» rocks as she approached the shore. - The departure of the boat"'_»»''_tt known to the harbour authorities, sal on the night of March 20 a irf-yflgn' at the Heads noticed a launch pais sit through the Heads of which he had __ no notification. The party had recemi a favourable forecast of the woUW before putting to sea, and reckoned is " reach Waikokopu in 40 hours. Had ft not been for the unfortunate breakdowi of the engine she would have made a good passage. . -.fflfr"-