ADRIFT AT SEA. ,

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 183, 2 August 1923, Page 12

ADRIFT AT SEA. ,

FISHERMEN'S PLIGHT. AMID SCHOOL .OF WHALES. (From Our Own Correspondent.) SYDNEY, July 27. Two men who cleared , Sydney Heads in a motor launch for a run of ten miles down the coast, had a thrilling experience during the week-end when their launch broke down and became helplesely adrift. The men. Michael Edwarde and G. Layfleld, boatmen, of Watson's Bay, soon found their little open launch in the midst of treacherous seas, and they were being carried by a swift current far down the coast. ■All attempts to start the engine proved fruitless, and, caught by the wind, the light craft was driven eastward, out of sight; of land. 'Had the occupants not been capable seamen, the launch must surely hare been ewamped by the huge white-crested wares which bore down upon it. At last, just as dusk was setting in, land was sighted. Then by come stroke of luck, the engine was got going, and the occupants were fortunate enough to come upon come men fishing in a rowing boat. They wore informed that they were off Bulli, thirty miles from Sydney, and directions were given as to where a landing could be effected. Darkness had' almost set in when, to the astonishment of the two voyagers, several black objects, around which the water swirled, were seen. . At flrst they were thought to be rocks, but a closer examination showed that they were a school of whales. The launch had drifted right into the moddle of them. The men managed to draw clear, but their troubles continued. The launch had not travelled far when a huge wave caught it, and swept it with a crash on to a reef. The little craft was washed from the rocks and.caught in the surf, which, dragged' it. on to the beach. When' it struck the sand a portion of the bottom. of the boat fell out. Many of the minor* and residents of-the district had seen the launch in trouble, and when the two men landed omhe beach there was a crowd of I people waiting to give them any assistance needed.