PARTY'S PLIGHT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 268, 11 November 1937, Page 20

PARTY'S PLIGHT.

NIGHT ON MUDBANK.

WAIST-DEEP IN OOZE.

EATEN BT MOSQUITOES. SYDNEY, November 5. About 50 girls and young men had a terrifying experience when their launch stuck fawt on a mudbank almost in the centre of the Lane Cove River, near Fairyland. , The craft remained hard and fast for nine hours. Some of the party waded ashore through a mangrove swamp, sinking to the waist in mud. Hordes of mosquitoes added to their misery. Next day many of the picnickers were showing large lumps on their bodies. The party had enjoyed a picnic at Fairyland Pleasure (Jrounds, and about 0.30 p.m. they boarded the last boat returning to the city. A strong wind was blowing and light rain falling. The skipper was trying to follow a difficult channel through the mudbanks when the launch stuck. Engiaci Raced Astern. The engines were raced in reverse, the anchor wae thrown out, and strong artne tried to haul the craft off the mud. The whole party was told to dash from side to side in an effort to create a wiirth strong enough to drift the launch off. I After nearly an hour of this, rafts were put over the ftide and three men in ehorts and singlets boarded them and tries to push the launch off, but failed. To the alarm of those on board, the tide was running out and other mudbanks were showing. One of the crew volunteered to paddle a raft aehore, 200 yarde away, and get help. He made his way through the scrub and ran two miles to a telephone. He reported on return that the best thing to do was to wade aehore or wait for a high tide to float the vessel off. To calm the nervee of some of the passenger*", an improntptu concert was staged. One girl became ill from shock and had to receive treatment. • Before 10 p.m. the launch was so far out of water that it tilted alarmingly, causing a minor panic. Barefoot Walk. About 10.30 five boy* and three girl« agreed to face the mud. They reached the shore after several unnerving adventures, and then walked, with their bare feet cut, a mile to a house. Shortly before midnight, another party, consisting of about 15 couples, also waded ashore. Some of the girle were showing eigne of hysteria and had to be carried ashore. All had to walk nearly three miles without shoes to Gladeeville, where they caught a tram. "It was very serious while it lasted," Mid Mr. Jack Dwyer. "Carrying a girl through that «wamp was difficult. In view of everything, the girls behaved splendidly, but they were terrified of the mud. "Some thought we were in quicksand and that we would be sucked under and suffocated." The othere—including the «>iok girl— remained on board until the launch was refloated at 4 a.m. Tt was then driven to the city, where the passengers disembarked.