DRIFTING TO SEA.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 222, 19 September 1929, Page 9

DRIFTING TO SEA.

THREE MEN IN BOAT. HAD ABANDONED HOPE CAST AWAY ON ISLAND. SUFFERED THIRST AND HUNGER. . (By : Telegraph.—own Correspondent.) WAIHI, this day. A;.thrilling story of the- fight for life made by three men—drifting in a halffiwamped boat, at the mercy of heavy Beas, suffering from thirst and hunger, expecting every moment to be 'their* last, and fearing the ferocious mako shark — was told last night by Mr. H. E. Hamlin, Dative schoolmaster at Mataura Bay, a pa situated about eight miles along the poast from Waihi. Mr. Hamlin, who is a well-spoken Maori of 29, belonging to Hawke's Bay, showed the "Star" representative his blistered hands, caused by hard rowing, and said his two companions, completely exhausted after their experience, were resting. His companions were Isaac Hauraki, secretary of the School Committee and a son of the chief of the settlement, and Rutana Tawha. They went to Bowentown for the purpose of taking two boats, of 16ft and 14ft, which ' they had purchased, along the coast to Mataura. On arrival at Bowentown they found a heavy sea on the bar, and _ the surf breaking miles our. After making an attempt to get the boats through the surf they found a passage between the main channel and the rocks, and when outside they hoisted sail, the big Tboat towing the smaller one. Found Rowing Impossible. A strong westerly gale was blowing, and . they tried unsuccessfully to make their way along the coast, but gradually drifted ..further out. About 5.30 p.m. they found themselves five miles on Waihi'- Beach, with eeas- coming broad-

side on. They then realised they had no chance of making land. At 8.30 they could barely see the coastline, and a sea of white waves was breaking all over them. They lowered the sail and decided to try the oars, but found the task of row-, ing impossible, for they lost seaway at every stroke. The coastline disappeared at 9 o'clock, and there was no sign of Mayor Island, which is 16 miles from the mainland. They drifted rapidly, and gave themselves up for lost. _ It was at this moment, said Mr.. Ham: lin, that he thought of the mako sharks which infest the waters hereabouts. The only thing to do was to keep the boats before the wind. , Towards midnight they caught sight of Mayor Island. The seas were now coming aboard, and the men were forced to bail. They realised their only hope was to make a landing in the south-east bay of the island. Water, But No Food. Approaching the island at 4.30 on Monday morning, they considered the advisability of running the boats on the rocks and taking a chance, but they decided to steer for the bay. They landed without mishap as day was breaking. The pangs of hunger and thirst then assailed them. They found water, but could obtain no food, and the huts on the island were all padlocked. They climbed up a hill to make a signal, and saw plenty of wild pigs. Some time later they sighted a sail, which proved to be that of a fishing launch, owned by Messrs. C. Johnston and J. Wilson, who were on their way to Whangamata, but had decided to shelter at Mayor Island. The crew of the launch had no, idea of the existence of the castaways, and the latter were under the impression ' that the launch had come to look for them. Mr. Johnston willingly supplied food to the three, who were nearly famished. Greetings at the Pa. After spending a cold and sleepless night on the island, the men left it in the launch at 7 o'clock on Tuesday and arrived at Mataura Beach at 12.30. Mr. Hamlin said the whole settlement awaited the arrival of the launch on the beach, not knowing who was aboard. When the castaways were recognised the elders immediately retired to the meetinghouse, there ,to greet the rescued men according to native custom. Everyone had ceased work, and all followed the elders. Mr. Hamlin said he considered their escape was providential,. for_ thejr- Jiad abandoned all hope, : ,