MAROONED ON ISLAND

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 136, 11 June 1927, Page 11

MAROONED ON ISLAND

FISHING PARTY'S EXPERIENCE THREE WOMEN INCLUDED. LAUNCH SEEN DRIFTING AWAY. FOOD AND TOBACCO SHORT. (By Telegraph.—own Correspondent.) OPOTIKI, this day. Mr. John King, a member of the fishing party marooned on Whale Island by a storm, which swept their launch, the Scout from its moorings, told of his experiences yesterday on his return. He said that they left Kutarere oil Friday in beautiful weather. There were eight persons on board, not five, namely, Messrs J. Allen, King, Abbot, Harold Jones and three Maori women and two men. They had a small supplv of bread, kumaras and potatoes. They secured good fishing, so decided to stay at sea until Monday. They slept in a hut on Whale Island on Sunday night. Sea Became Rougher. On Monday the sea was too rough to move and it was gradually becoming worse. The launch was auchored two or three chains from the beach. They remained on the island on Tuesday and that night the storm was terrific. They had grave doubts about the launch and at dawn on Wednesday it was seen that she had dragged two anchors and was about two miles away, being blown towards Matata A fruitless attempt was made to row after the launch in a dinghy, but it was too dangerous. The launch disappeared from sight in the afternoon and was last Seen drifting towards fturima Islands. The party climbed the highest point on the island on Thursday morning in order to look for the launch, but saw no sign of it. Motor-ship Sighted. Later the motor-ship Motu was sighted and on seeing their smoke signals she made for the island. Captain Hammond had instructed the Motu to keep a sharp lookout for the Scout.

Although they had not suffered great hardship on the island, the party were delighted that their stay was to end. The first thing the men asked for was tobacco. Their supply had run out and they had tried to smoke dried fern and tea-tree leaves. They had taken an eight gallon drum of water on shore, and found a tank with about 100 gallons in it. If they had not been rescued when they were they would have had to kill goats, which run on the island. Ketnrn to the Island. The party boarded the Motu in their own dinghy; and before dusk arrived at Whakatane Heads The Motu signalled to- the harbourmaster that the missing party 'was on board, but the ship could not negotiate the Whakatane bar, so she returned to Whale Island for shelter. In the meantime the Otimai had crossed the Kutarere bar and met the Motu. at. the island. Mr. W. Walker's launch Waihou arrived at the same time, al) three ships sheltering to the leeward of the . island during the night. On Friday morning the party were transferred to the Otimai, which left for Kutarere, arriving about noon. The party were well, but were very hungry, haying lived on fish and potatoes. Search for Launch. Soon after the arrival of the Otimai Mr. Abbot, owner of the Scout, put to sea again with Mr. Walker, who had followed in the Waihou, to search the bay and the shores for the missing launch. So far they have not returned, but no fears are entertained for their safety.