YACHT TOWED TO NAPIER

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25135, 17 March 1947, Page 6

YACHT TOWED TO NAPIER

DISTRESS SIGNALS PICKED UP STORM CARRIES AWAY SAILS (P.A.) NAPIER. March 16. Stormlashed and with her auxiliary engine out of commission, the 57-foot keeled yacht, Waitangi, which was in distress south of Black Head, approximately 70 miles south of Napier, was towed back to Napier by trawler yesterday afternoon. The Waitangi was on a voyage from Auckland to Lyttelton. She had passed Hawke’s Bay on Wednesday night and when picked up by a trawler which was dispatched in response to a radio call for help the Waitangi was lying between Cape TUrnagain and Black Head. The yacht left Auckland on Tuesday morning, March 4. She had been bought by Mr J. H. Killian, of Lyttelton, who was endeavouring to sail her direct to that port. The storm struck the vessel early on Thursday morning, carrying away some of her sails. Trie auxiliary motor failed and as the yacht was unable to continue it was decided to send out an S.p.S. call from her radio. This was picked up by an amateur operator, Mr G. McDonell, a farmer, of Ohakea, who advised the Marine Department, Wellington. At 10 p.m. on Friday radio contact with the yacht was established by Mr W. Taylor, of Napier, who subsequently maintained contact. On board the yacht were Mr Killian and his wife, Mr K. W. Windsor, of Auckland, as wireless operator, Mr M. Yule, also of Auckland, and an elderly man named Hiller.