Endeavour Finds Missing Ketch

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30287, 13 November 1963, Page 16

Endeavour Finds Missing Ketch

(New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, November 12. A case of beer and a tin of methylated spirits were the only requirements of the three-man crew of the Auckland ketch Blue Peter when it was found off Cuvier Island this morning.

The ketch, which has been the subject of an intensive air search since it was reported overdue on Saturday, is expected to reach Auckland between 3 a.m. and 5 a m tomorrow. This afternoon under full sail and in calm sea, the ketch was making stow progress. There was little wind to assist i<t. The crew are the owner and skipper, Mr J. Potter, of Grey Lynn. Mr A. E Elliott, of Te Ataitu, and Mr M. J White, of Kohimararna. The 28-foot ketch left Gisborne on November 3 to be sailed to Auckland by its new owner. The Blue Peter was found 19.6 miles east of Cuvier Island, off Cape Colville, by H.M.N.Z.S. Endeavour. The Endeavour, the Antarctic supply ship, was on its way to dump surplus ammunition when it sighted the ketch.

The captain of the Endeavour, Commander P. R H Silk, said by radio-telephone this afternoon that the Blue Peter was sighted from the ship at 835 a.m. The Endeavour altered course 15 degrees to port and stopped within 50 yards of the ketch. Commander Silk said the crew of the ketch brought it alongside. “They were quite well and happy but •.•nshaven." he said The men said they had sailed 300 miles north-east of Cuvier Island as they weathered a storm last week They were not aware that they had been reported missing.

The search director, Mr T. W. Keals-Smtth said searching aircraft flew six sorties, more than 40 hours' flying, in the search. They covered about 18.000 square miles.