TWO MEN ON ROCK

Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 62, 14 March 1944, Page 2

TWO MEN ON ROCK

MAROONED ALL NIGHT

DRAMA NEAR CAPE BRETT

(0.C.) WHANGAREI, this day. When the rudder jammed on the privately-owned launch Huia, which was fishing off Cape Brett on Sunday, a series of remarkable incidents occurred. Caught by a large wave the launch, temporarily oujt of control, was carried on to portion of Piercey Hock, where for a moment she was left high and dry by the receding water.

Four of the seven men aboard were thrown into the sea, where they were in immediate peril of being dashed against the rock. Two others stepped ashore from the stranded vessel, while the seventh man, who had been in the helmsman's position, remained on the Huia.

A following wave took the launch clear and deposited her in calm water on the sheltered side of the rock. The sole remaining occupant of the boat threw a lifeline to the four men in ihe water, started the motor and succeeded in taking the Huia, which was holed and leaking, into calm water.

The men who had been thrown overboard succeeded in regaining the launch, which was made safe by a rope thrown from the lighthouse. Lashed by the high wind, the seas were running too high to attempt the immediate rescue of the two men marooned on the rock. A rocket line, however, was fired from the vicinity of the lighthouse, and the men were supplied with provisions. They spent a most uncomfortable night perched on the rock, and it was not until early morning that a boat which had stood by ready to lend assistance was able to take them off. They were none the worse for their exposure.