KEELER'S EVENTFUL VOYAGE

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXXV, Issue 14367, 17 May 1947, Page 3

KEELER'S EVENTFUL VOYAGE

WAITANGX RETURNS TO AUCKLAND

TALE OP MISADVENTURE IN HAWKE'S BAY P.A. Auckland, May 16. The keel yacht Waitangi, experiencing a, run of good luck after a long spell of misfortune, "reached Kawau Island on Thursday, live days out from Gisborne'. After over a fortnight moored in Gisborne harbour basin endeavouring to obtain a crew to sail the vessel back to Auckland, the yacht sailed for Auckland at midday last Saturday. The Waitangi was purchased in Auckland six months ago by Mr J. R. Killian, who intended to sail her to Lyttelton. Together with his wife and a small crew, Mr Killian sailed from Auckland about three months ago, and the yacht was first in trouble off the east coast when sails wore blown out. • • She was able to reach Gisborne and repairs were made before the vessel set out for Napier. In Hawke's Bay the yacht again ran into heavy weather and had to he towed into Napier by a fishing trawler following the receipt of an SOS message by radio. After further repairs had bee-n made at Napier it was decided to abandon the southern voyage and return to Auckland. Leaving Napier on Saturday, April 19, the yacht was forced to put back three hours later for repairs to her rigging. She left Napier again the" following Wednesday, arriving at Gisborne on April 2G.