ADRIFT AT SEA.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20729, 14 December 1932, Page 10

ADRIFT AT SEA.

CREW OP LAUNCH PICKED UP BY TRAMP. i CRAFT SINKS IN COOK STRAIT. LTHE PKESS Special Service] WELLINGTON, December 13. After drifting about helplessly for most of the day, and when hopes of roscue were rapidly vanishing, two men aboard a twenty-foot lauuch were fortunate enough to be sighted and picked up this afternoon by the tramp steamer Newton Elm when about seven miles out to sea off Pencarrow Head. The Newton Elm, which was passing through Cook Strait on the way from Auckland to Westport, brought them to the vicinity of the harbour entrance, whore they were transferred to the Government steamer Janie Seddon and brought into port. Engine Stops. The two men aboard the launch. G. Hudson and C. Usher, who both live at Petonc, left Paremata in the launch about 4 o'clock this morning, their intention being to call at Island Bay and later proceed to Petone. They cleared Terawbiti Kip about four hours later, and when rounding Sinclair Head the engine stopped, all efforts to restart it being unsuccessful. Hudson, who owns the launch, and intended using it for fishing and ploasuro purposes, believes that the stoppage of the engine was duo to water having reached the magneto. It was about 3.30 p.m. when the launch was picked up by the Newton Elm. Hudson arid Usher estimate that at that time they were about seven miles off Pencarrow. Although tlio sea was then fairly rough the launch was riding comfortably, her nose being kept to the wave by means of a jib sail. During rescue operations a plan): of the launch was stove in, and aKhough the captain of the Newton Elm took it in tow it made water rapidly, and ho had no alternative but to cut it adrift. After the rescue iinmediatu steps were taken by tho captain to communicate with the authorities in "Wellington. Arrangements were made for him to divert his course and outside the Heads he was met by the Janie Heddon. There the men were transferred and brought into port, reaching tho City shortly after six o'clock. Praise for Ship's Master. Tho rescued men speak in high praise of the captain and crew of the Newton Elm. "I was sitting in the bottom of the boat and had practically given up all hope," said Usher. "I do not think wo could have lasted till morning. in fact, I doubt if ire could have hung oil for anything like that time, for the sea was becoming rougher. 1 happened to look out and all of a sudden saw tho Newton Elm. We both waved for all we were worth, but I think the captain of tho steamer saw us as soon as we saw him. The way the captain swung around and brought the Newton Elm up alongside i;j was a great piece of seamanship. Tho captain and his crew troated us wonderfully, and could not do enough for us. It was a stroke of luck for both of M that we were saved, for tho Newton Elm was ronnin-* later than her schedule time."