OIL LAUNCH WRECKED.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 163, 12 July 1928, Page 8

OIL LAUNCH WRECKED.

FISHERMAN'S PULL ASHORE.

WILD NIGHT ON ISLAND BEACH.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

RUSSELL, Wednesday.

Mr. Vic. Brooker, of Russell, who recently purchased tie well-known oil launch T.P. from Mr. W. Mason-Baylv for schnapper fishing, anchored last Friday night off the western end of Robinson's Island, Bay of Islands, just before dark, and went off in the dinghy to set the long schnapper line a short distance away. This took a little longer than expected and darkness overtook him, with tho result that he was unable to find the launch, no light having been put up.

The nor'-east gale experienced last week-end was just beginning and quite a sea was getting up, so, after pulling around for some time, Mr. Brooker pulled ashore 011 a tiny beach on Robinson's Island, where he spent a miserable night, having 110 overcoat. It was blowing and raining. The upended dinghy and a small fire did a little to spare him from the bitter cold.

At daylight he set out in the "cockleshell" to cross several miles of rough water to the mainland. He reached Mr. Arnold's place at I'aroa Bay almost exhausted. Miss Twigg kindly pave him some refreshments ere he set out to walk to Russell.

The T.l\ was eventually found battered to pieces oil the locks between Long Beach and Tapeka Point, only the engine and keel being left. There was 110 insurance on the boat.