FISHING BOAT OVERDUE

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27992, 12 June 1956, Page 12

FISHING BOAT OVERDUE

TWO MEN ON BOARD SEARCH IN HEAVY SEAS OFF TAIERI MOUTH fNew Zealand Press Association) DUNEDIN. June 11. A Taieri Mouth fishing vessel, the Challenger, with two men on board, i« overdue. It is thought the boat may be drifting in heavy seas with a disabled engine. The men are Walter Johnstone and Joseph Apes. They put out on a fishing expedition yesterday, and the boat, last seen at 4 p.m. yesterday, was due back in port this morning. Mr Johnstone has been a fisherman all his working life, and Mr Apes, although much younger, is also a fisherman with some experience, and it is possible that they have reached shelter in the lee of Taieri Island. off shore from Taieri Mouth, or anchored in an inshore position sheltered from the north-easterly gale that sprang up last night. Taieri Mouth is 20 miles south of Dunedin. The Challenger is a 33ft doubleended boat, clinker built, and although very old it has been reconditioned and is considered seaworthy. It is not equipped with radio, and has only a petrol motor. A fishing vessel left Port Chalmers today, and travelled down the coast keeping in radio contact with the shore, but no trace of the Challenger was seen.

Because of the* rough weather, the Taieri bar has been unworkable, and none of the other boats at th* port has been able to put out to scare for the Challenger. If no news heard by tomorrow morning, a ser will be made by aeroplanes Taieri.