WRECKED AT KAIPARA.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 46, 24 February 1927, Page 10

WRECKED AT KAIPARA.

LAUNCH MERCIA LOST. ASHORE IN HEAVY SEAS. ONE MAN STILL MISSING. FOUR OF CREW SAVED. (By Telegraph—Special to "Star.") HELENSVILLE, this day. Word has been received in Helensville that the pleasure launch Mercia was wrecked at the entrance to Kaipara Harbour at 3 a.m. yesterday. One man is still missing, and four others of the crew have been saved. The name of the missing man is: — L. K. Waters, of Devonport, Auckland, married, with four children. Those saved are:— W. H. Olliver, of Mercer. A. Hipkins, of Auckland. Willoughby Olliver, of Mercer. Clem Olliver, of Mercer. The two last mentioned are sons of Mr. Olliver, owner of the Mercia. How It Happened. Describing the accident to a "Star" representative this morning, Mr. Olliver said the Mercia left Mercer on Sunday afternoon last for a pleasure cruise round the North Cape to Auckland. The weather was fine at the outset, and everything went well till about three o'clock yesterday morning, when she was off Kaipara Heads. It was blowing pretty hard from the westward, and there* was a heavy roll on. During the night the engine had given trouble, and suddenly it stopped altogether. "We "immediately dropped anchor," said Mr. Olliver, "and for some time it held. Then it commenced to drag. The wind freshened, and the sea increased. Finally the anchor line parted, and we were drifting towards the shore. We managed to hoist a sail, and endeavoured to make the south passage at the 1 entrance to Kaipara Harbour. As soon as we ran into the breakers the launch got into difficulties, and she was washed fore and aft by heavy seas. The deckhouse was washed away, and the same sea took Mr. Waters and myself overboard. That was the last I saw of him. The other three —Will, Clem, and Hipkins— clung to the launch and were washed ashore with her."

How the Sufferers Fared. Mr. Olliver went on to say that he did not see any of the others till late yesterday afternoon. Immediately he got ashore he wandered inland and did not reach Buckland's station, some eight miles inland, till after 5 p.m. yesterday. The manager, Mr. Hopkins, attended to hie bruises, and after a meal he was put to bed. Later in the evening one of Mr. 01 liver's sons came over from the wreck and told his father that his other son and Mr. Hipkins v-ere safe, although somewhat bruised and shaken. They were camping near the wrecked launch on the beach.

To-day search parties headed by Conetable Hunt, of Helensville, are out searching for the fifth occupant of the launch, Mr. Waters. It was thought that perhaps he, like Mr> Olliver, might be wandering about the sand hills and wild country. In answer to a question Mr. Qlliver eaid he did not know when the crew would reach Auckland. They were much concerned about their missing friend and would do their utmost to find him. Well-Knokn Water Sports. Mr. Olliver is well-known in yachtcircles in Auckland. Formerly a resident of Devonport, he worked at Logan's yacht building yard, also with Messrs. Bailey and Lowe. In his spare time he built the keel yacht Iris, in which he made extensive cruises. Mr. "Len" Waters always accompanied him, and, in response to an invitation from his old skipper, he joined the Mercia last week to make one of the crew on their 4.30 mile journey from Port Waikato to the Waitemata. Mr. Olliver has always taken an interest in rowing, and was a delegate to the Auckland Rowing Association for many years, and one the early members of the North Shore Rowing Club. He was a foundation member of the Ntorth Shore Yacht Club, and is now a member of the Devonport Yacht Club. It was his first intention to bring his new launch round in time for this club's annual regatta, which takes place on Saturday.

The Mercia was built at Mercia by Mr. Olliver. Her length was 381 ft and beam 10ft. She was fitted with a 50h.p. engine.