WRECKED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 122, 25 May 1932, Page 8

WRECKED.

LAUNCH MIRELLA. STRUCK ROCK OFF GOAT ISLAND. SUNK IN FEW MINUTES. CREW ESCAPE IN SMALL DINGHY. Three men had to make a hasty escape In a dinghy when the Auckland fishing launch Mirella struck a rock and sank off Goat Island, near Point Rodney, early last evening. They reached the shore in safety. The crew of the launch <'omprised Mr. H. Wilson, Mr. G. 11. Wilson (his nephew), and Mr. A. Ellis. The Mirella left Auckland 011 Sunday morning for Rakino Island for lino fishing. Unfavourable north-easterly weather was encountered off Rakino, and 011 Monday the launch proceeded to Kawau. Monday niglit was spent at Kawau. and yesterday morning the launch went to Cape Rodney. It was while the Mirella was running for shelter behind Goat Island that she was wrecked early last evening. At the time it was pitch dark and moderate seas were running. When the launch was about thirty yards out from the shore she was thumped 011 to a. submerged rock by the swell. Immediately afterwards the launch crashed 011 to the rocks again, and water poured through the bottom of the boat. Men Get Into Dinghy. The crc.v realised that there was 110 chance of running the launch 011 to the beach and they had barely time to grab some blankets and a small quantity of food and board the dinghy from the stern before the launch sank. When the dinghy was a few yards away from the Mirella the launch disappeared from <riew. The men then pulled for the mainland and succeeded in making a landing through the surf. They reached the home of Mr. A. J. Matheson, a settler, where they were hospitably treated and put up for the night. This morning, when only the mast of flio Mirella was showing abov? water, all were well.

Recently Changed Hands.

Speaking over the telephone from Leigh this morning, Mr. 11. Wilson said that the crew had to work with all speed to launch the dinghy. The Mirella had recently changed hands and he and Messrs. G. H. Wilson and A. Ellis were engaged in fishing for Mr. J. Wilson, of Ardmore Road, Ponsonby. He did not know whether the boat was insured. Mr. J. Wilson left for Leigh this morning. It is believed that the chances of salvaging the Mirella, which was 32ft long, and well known as a fishing launch, are small. Goat Island is close to the mainland, north of Point Rodney, and is 33 acres in extent. The rocks where the launch struck are on the western side of the island.