YACHTSMEN'S PLIGHT.

Auckland Star, Volume 55, Issue 94, 21 April 1924, Page 8

YACHTSMEN'S PLIGHT.

BENZINE TANK AFIRE. AN ANXIOUS ORDEAL. One yachting party encountered most unfortuitous circumstances just after starting out on Saturday evening for the Easter cruise. The auxiliary yacht starlight, with the owner (Mr." .las. Sutherland) and friends, was making for Xorthcote wharf to take aboard Messrs. .'rank Ryan and Wm. Robertson, who were to accompany the party on the trip. The two latter, becoming impatient at the non-arrival of the Starlight as arranged, went in the launch Olive Branch to lea in tiie cause: They discerned the auxiliary half-way across from Heine Hay. and found that she had met With a mishap. The engineroom was full of dense smoke, the benzine from a disconnected pipe of the lank having caught lire. The pipe was believed to have been dislodged from its position as the result of an explosion caused by the engine back-firing. TUe flames had been successfully beaten out, but those on board were obviously suffering from the shock of the ordeai. There was practically no wind, and the launch towetl the Starlight to Northcote. As the current from the outgoing tide was strong off the Northcote wharf, the yacht, which began to drift, was anchored in the vicinity of the Northcote Point. Messrs. Rees 0. Davies and Eric Million, who had returned from the city by ferry steamer, here boarded the vessel to render assistance. Temporary repair., were effected, and attempts were made for fully an hour lo lift the anchor, which had caught in the cable on the harbour bed. These efforts ended fruitlessly; the anchor rope had lo be cut, a"nd the 'pick surrendered. The .Starlight was then moved under her own power to moorings in Little Shoal Bay. where the Party remained for the nighf. Yesterday morning the cruise was resumed after replenishing necessary accessories at the yacht's anchorage in' Hcrnc Bay.