TAURANGA LAUNCH FOUNDERS

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXXVI, Issue 14638, 6 April 1948, Page 3

TAURANGA LAUNCH FOUNDERS

STRUCK ROCKS IN DARKNESS Occupants 9 Narrow Escape Rescued By Passing Craft (P.A.) Russell, April 5. The 33ft double-ended Corsair was wrecked off Tapeka Light at 11 o'clock last night while on a voyage from Tauranga to Russell. The tV/o occupants, Mr Wyn Hargraves, of Tauranga and his son Brian, aged 13, had a narrow escape from drowning. The accident occurred at a lonely and notoriously rough spot and they were rescued by a fishing boat which, by a hundred to one chance, happened to be in the vicinity. Setting out from Tauranga on Good Friday, the Corsair was forced to seek shelter from storms at Mercury Bay and Matakana. It encountered a heavy fog, a tide rip and a choppy sea in the region of Cape Brett, which was passed at 6.45 last evening. As the Corsair was passing Tapeka Light on the right, in accordance with the rules, it struck some rocks in the darkness. It filled rapidly and sank after the two occupants had donned life jackets. Mr Hargraves and his son swam to some rocks, where a torch was used to signal for help. Fortunately Mr M. Clifford, of Russell, who was returning from fishing, heard their cries and went to the rescue when the rising water was up to their knees. Local fishermen are rarely out on a Sunday night. The Corsair was made fast to the fishing craft and was towed, with only the stern showing above the water, to Russell, ■ where they arrived at t 5.30 this morning. Damage was confined to four broken planks. About £IOO worth of personal effects were lost. Launched only last November, the Ccrsair is not covered by insurance. Mr Hargraves refused an offer of £9OO for it last week. Several accidents haVe occurred off Taoeka Light in the past. Local residents are of the opinion that the light is wrongly placed and in a confusing position.