BOAT TRAGEDY.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 277, 23 November 1927, Page 8

BOAT TRAGEDY.

SURVIVOR'S GRAPHIC STORY

AN EPIC OF THE SEA.

CONCERN FOR COMPANIONS.

PRIVATIONS ON RAN GITOTO.

No trace has baen found by search parties of Messrs. William Williams and James Bowman, both of Takapuna, who are missing as the result of the capsizing of a small yacht between Milford and Rangitoto on Saturday afternoon. Believed to be the sole survivor of the mishap, Stanley John Easdown is lying at the residence of his sister, Mrs. Ronayne, of Fairfax Road, Epsom, in mental anguish over the possible fate of his companions, but, for all that, regaining strength after his trying ordeal in swimming to safety, and suffering privations on the inhospitable, volcanic, and rock-strewn shores of Rangitoto.

This morning Mr. Easdown was well enough to see an interviewer, and although still weak, was able to give a graphic description of the tragic happening. His story unfolds an epic of the sea that will live long ir the annuls of yachting in Auckland, and which speaks of fortitude in the face of peril. Neither man said a word, except to ask whether I was all right. I would not caie a tinker if tne otfier two fellows had made the shore. That is the worst tlnng of the lot. As for Tnyself, I think I must have a mortgage: on the devil, jf the tide had carried me another 50ft I would have missed Rangitoto altogether."

Asked how the first trouble arose, Mr. Easdown. expressed the opinion that the boat was sailed too far down towards the end of Rangitoto. It was Wowing a gale at the point, and just before swamping they had got right into the very worst of the wind and clioppv water. If they had run for Motutapu and left the task of making for Islington Bay alone, he believes now that the little party would have been safe.

Early on Sunday morning Mr. Easdown sighted a yacht proceeding down the harbour, and he thought possibly that Bowman had made safety, and had enlisted help. Imagine his disappointment when the vessel went straight past without noticing him. He set off on his tramp over interminable volcanic rocks at sunrise on Sunday, and where insurmountable barriers confronted him, took to the water and swam round them, although he was afraid of encountering octopi. 3

Leaves for Covering. As his tiresome and agonising walk progressed, he felt himself growing gradually weaker, but he urged himself on despite the terrific heat, and the craving for food and water that was within him. He shielded his body from the unmerciful sun rays with vegetation, and brought moisture to° his parched throat by chewing karakq and fern leaves. A refreshing shower on Monday relieved hi s agony a little, and he spent two hours licking what moisture he could from the leaves. Protection for his feet was secured by fastening driftwood to them with strips of the band from his hat, and with tow picked up on the beach. He indicated that he was never so overjoyed in his life as when he stumbled upon Smith's deserted hut on Monday, and was able to secure water and ill-fitting clothing He made a dash at last, and was picke°d up near Motu quarries well-nigh exhausted by Mr. Vail. Every possible attention was given him by Mr. and Mrs. Vail, and Mr. Easdown, who is very appreciative of their hospitality and assistance, describes them as "white ones." He is full of praise for the manner in which Mr. Vail attempted to make Devonport in a cockleshell and leaky dinghy in order to secure further relief for him.

Thorough {Search in Progress. The party that is combing the rugged shores of Rangitoto and Motutapu Islands for signs of the' missing men, grew overnight. Two launches, manned by volunteers and representatives of the ponce department, left Milforff at 6.30 o clock last evening, and in the glare of torchlights the beach was searched from Islington Bay to Rangitoto beacon. Others in dinghies examined the rock S +Ji Bear . ch was continued at sunnill V and Motutapu was ' F nleßß an y discovery h made, the party will stay overnight, and return to-morrow morning. The jaqnehes are in charge of Messrs. J. Bodle and A Double. A third party, m charge of Mr. McLeod, of Takapuna set ouf early yesterday morning, but no results have attended their efforts either.

"I Did Not Want To Go."

For the past two years Billy Williams has always wanted me to go out boatinwith him. I knew nothing about it and did not want to go. It did not appeal to but this week I consented to go, said Mr. Easdown to an interviewer this morning, as he was made comfortable in bed. "I made an appointment fpr 3.30, but did not turn up, and Billy came down for me. I did not want to go even then, but I was persuaded that the trip would' do me good. Going down Milford Road, Bowman, whom I had never met, called out to Willaims, asking if he could join the party. Williams asked if I minded if Bowman went with us, and I said I did not. Williams then said that Bowman was a good ehap and wou|d assist to balance the boat." Mr. Easdown described how he and his companions called at the residence of Mr. Fenton, the of the which was lovely and new as far as he could see—and subsequently pushed off from Milford at about 4.30 o'clock. "Everything went all right for a start," he added, "but when we got out a bit I became somewhat apprehensive, and said that I supposed the boat was all right. Williams replied jocularly that eke would take us to Sydney. Jt was a joke that I should be worrying about being iq a small boat. Wo jcept on going foy some time, and then the) other was !$£ tofcWg, or maybe it My job was to nit stUl and ft? i m as I was told. Wt w?. ,waiLH eW that the Island sld« B'rds' thi tea.! . M 1 together Willianasmt theaneliMrn 9'Uy i was told that and k lifting the boat again, c W l nce of

Just Drifted Off. "Bowman said that we would be gone if we stayed where we were, as it was frightfully cold, but Williams ur«ed that we should cling on to the boat "for a tune. I was inclined to swim for it, and Bowman regarded that as our only hope. We then assisted each other to free ourselves of our clothing, but there was not a word passed, and no arrangements for the swim for the shore. I think we all thought it was absolutely impossible, and it was a case of just drifting off. 1 went off in the lead," proceeded Mr. Easdown, "as it struck me that the others were worrying about me, and it was best to show a bold front at the beginning at least. Bowman headed for Motutapu, but Williams kept just _ e b a °k of me, and once asked me if I was all right. I told him that I was going well, and just liien we got into a choppy sea. "Thought I was Gone." "I thought I was gone there, so got down to it properly. Whether I was unconscious or not I don't know, but I got my mind on the shore. I got there, | but how I did it I don't know. It might have been midnight when I landed, or I might have been swimming half the night for all I know." Everything was pitch black on the island when Mr. Easdown at last reached the safety of tTie shore. He crawled into a hollow in the rocks, and, during the time he rested, called «ut in the hope that Williams too had made the nightmare of a journey safely. "I knew," he said, "that he must be within half an hour of me, as he was a biopowerful fellow. I felt sure that I would have him for company before long."

Mr Easdown said that he did not see Bowman after they had left the ill-fated boat, and if he got ashore he must have landed about Waiheke. "If Williams had got ashore he would have been with me. He was behind me half a mile away from the beach. I think a shark, the current, or cramp must have got him, for he was as game as a pebble, and would never turn it up." "Never Any Complaint."

Mr. Easdown is eulogistic of the fortitude shown by his companions, and his principal concern is that they are still missing. Even in liis acute moments of agony, caused by his terrible ordeal, he has asked about them. "There was never any complaint," he said.