MANY CAPSIZES

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22004, 30 January 1937, Page 14

MANY CAPSIZES

CREWS OF YACHTS

RESCUED

boats dismasted and

DRIVEN ASHORE

STORMY WEATHER FOR

AUCKLAND REGATTA

(PIIISBS ASSOCIATION TEUSCiLiAU.)

AUCKLAND, January 29.

The stormy harbour conditions which accompanied a fresh south-east-erly breeze played havoc with pleasure craft that defied the torrential rain of the early morning to take part in the Anniversary Day regatta. With the wind whipping up a difficult sea, especially in the Rangitoto channel, nearly a score of boats capsized. Dismastings were frequent, and several craft suffered extensive damage to their canvas. A chapter of accidents kept rescue launches busy throughout the afternoon.

When she was standing in close to Motuihi, the E class yacht Wakanul. owned by Mr H. Kidd, of the Davenport Yacht Club, was driven on to the a-ocks. The crew were forced to abandon the vessel, and returned to Auckland in an excursion boat. A member of the crew of another boat who saw the wrecked craft later reported that she appeared to be fairly badly holed.

Lucky Escape from Drowning

A lucky escape from drowning was made by a member of the crew of the V class yacht Decima when the tiller of the boat was carried away. He overbalanced and fell into the sea. His companions were powerless to assist him. and the craft drifted on helplessly while he struggled in the heavy sea that was running. The desperate signals of the Decima’s crew were noticed by J. Frankham, of the M class yacht Manaia, and after a search extending over some minutes he picked up the man. Although suffering severely from exposure, he speedily recovered. The Y class boat Cupid capsized oft the sandspit at Devonport and the crew was rescued by a naval pinnace from H.M.S. Philomel after they had been in the water for some minutes. It was found impossible to take the craft in tow. and it drifted ashore off North Head, where it was salvaged by Devonport yachtsmen, its sails being badly torn. A pinnace from the Philomel also went to the assistance of two L. class boats which overturned in the harbour. One was successfully taken in tow and was beached at Orakei; but endeavours to hold the other with a line were in vain, and, breaking away, it eventually grounded at North Head, where the equipment was salvaged by residents. >

Cruiser Dispatches Assistance

Later in the afternoon the Philomel received a report that the 22ft yacht Melita was in danger North Head. At the time no boat was available; but the message was transferred by signal to H.M.S. Dunedin, which dispatched assistance. In the meantime, however, the yacht was assisted by a passing launch. The 14ft boat Manurewa capsized in Shoal Bay during the afternoon, and although the crow were rescued efforts to tow the craft ashore were fruitless, and it was reported missing to-night.

The Z class boat Te Hoa turned over when off the Resolution buoy, and was towed to North Head by a launch. The same launch brought the 14ft Water Beetle to Devonport after it had capsized off the sandspit. The Drone, a boat of the V class, overturned in the Rangltoto channel and was beached at Cheltenham. A similar mishap occurred to the Z class boat Tomaki when it was near North-cote, the craft being later towed ashore. Three competitors in the Silver Fern class were overturned during their race, and another capsized shortly before starting in the event for S class boats.