ON THE SUMNER BAR.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20625, 15 August 1932, Page 8

ON THE SUMNER BAR.

LAUNCH IN TROUBLE.

LIFEBOAT EFFECTS RESCIjE.

Both Sumner lifeboats were called out yesterday afternoon to the assistance of the launch Hinemoe, which was in trouble on the bar. The lifeboat siren, which has not been heard for «ome time, was founded at about 1.30 p.m., attracting a large crowd at the pier. In a few rainutoi both the Be»cue 1., at Cave Rock, and Eescue it, at Scarborough, were fully manned and afloat. A big launch, the Hioemoa., of Bedcliffs, bad broken down on the bar on the New Brighton side of the main channel. While in heavy surf she slipped a line which trailed astern and fouled the propeller. The crew were able to anchor in fair water, but could neither tail nor row under the prevailing conditions. On board were Messrs T. Tynions (owner) and L. Sykes and two others. They had attempted a passage to Lyttelton against heavy south-east seas on a strong incoming tide.

The lifeboat Ooe« out. The trolley on which Rescue I. was mounted ploughed its way through about 80 yards of soft beach, and the boat was launched with the help of a willing crowd opposite the pier. She was soon in tricky water, but uuder the able command of Captain G. Hines, who heard the siren at Redcliffs, she pullod across the main channel and found the Hinemoa riding head-on to the seas. Passing a line aboard, he gave directions to haul up the anchor, and with a boat as big as his own, commenced the tow to Redcliffs.

The flood-tide at Shag Bock called for skilful handling, but by zig-aegging over tt>e course this corner was safely negotiated, and the launch berthed up at tho Sailing Club's jetty. The Begcue, under four oars, then made for Sumner, where a surf breaking diagonally to the beach made landing very difficult. Falling to reach tho trolley, she beached above it, and had to be hauled ashore -with the crew work' ing up to tho waist in iee-eold water. Finally, tho enthusiastic crowd, heed' lass of wet feel, and clothing, Tendered valuable assistance, and the boat wan successfully housed. Meanwhile, the crew of the Hinemoa motored from Redcliffs to express their thanks, and the shivering crew wore re. freshed with hot tea, supplied bv Mr and Mrs Ward, of the Hot Salt-Water Baths.

Crossing the Bay

The powerful motor lifeboat, Rescue 11., had a rough experience in tho bay, and on reaching the bur was heavily drenched in the mountainous surf, Hor services, however, were not roquiiod, a* the incoming tide gave the advantage to tho other boat. Hers wan also a very fine performance. During tho resoue two old members of the crew at .present visiting tho borough, Messrs A. B. Kerr, of Welling, ton, and B. Fountain Barber, of Grey* mouth, gave valuable assistance. A winter rescue of this type Is very rave in Sumner, and both crow.-, were considerably affected by the intense cold of th« water and the bit ire wwtarlv wfaS.