TWO YACHTS MISSING.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 19815, 31 December 1929, Page 9

TWO YACHTS MISSING.

CONTESTANTS IN A RACE. (UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION —BY ELECTKIC TELEGRAPH —COPYRIGHT.) LAUNCESTON, December 30. After a gruelling struggle of 42 hours, mostly spent in a howling gale, the Victorian yacht Oimara won the race across Bass Strait. Site was followed five hours later by Shamrock. Up to a late hour last night there was no news of Wanderer and Phyllis, two other contestants. Maysie and another starter had to return to Western Port shortly after the start. When the boats had left Queenscliffe the sea was worked up with a wind of nearly cyclonic force. Both missing vessels have auxiliary engines, and it is hoped that they will reach the Tasmanian coast to-day. The missing yacht Wanderer was last seen under bare poles off The Hummocks by the navigator of Shamrock. Phyllis has not been seen since 7.30 on Friday night. Wanderer has a crew of six. Maysie was totally disabled forty miles off the heads of Port Phillip's Bay, and was blown by the gale into Western Port. The -vessel was stripped practically to the deck line. The crew was utterly exhausted after a thirty-six hours' battle with the elements. BOTH VESSELS SAFE. (Received December 30 ch, 7.50 p.m.) MELBOURNE, December 30. The yacht Wanderer reached Port Phillip at noon to-day. The Phyllis arrived at Low Head, Tasmania, in the morning.