RESCUED FROM SINKING BOAT

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30560, 1 October 1964, Page 1

RESCUED FROM SINKING BOAT

(New Zealand Press Association)

INVERCARGILL, September 30.

Three men were rescued from a sinking fishing trawler, the Britannia, in choppy seas about eight miles off the Stewart Island coast early tonight.

Mrs May Nilson, who operates a radio set at Stewart Island, was in contact with the 58-foot trawler from about 3.45 p.m. when the vessel reported she was in difficulties until the me# were rescued by another Stewart Island boat, the Awanui. about 5.30 p.m. The skipper, Mr William Bragg, of Bluff, and two crew members, were reported to be safe and well tonight. They were on the Awanui, which was in an anchorage at Tikitatahi on the east side of Stewart Island. Mrs Nilson first heard the Britannia was making water about 3.45 p.m., but the crew

thought they might have been able to control her. About 4.15, Mrs Nilson learned that the pumps were under water. She alerted the owner, Mr J. Gisby, of Halfmoon Bay. and the Awanui, which was in the area. The Awanui took about an hour to get to the scene. After the Awanui had rescued the crew, she stayed with the Britannia, hoping to make a save. The attempt was abandoned about 7. p.m. because the Britannia, which was about twice the size of the Awanui, was waterlogged. She sank at 7.30 p.m. The Britannia has been working for only about a month since she had a major overhaul.