Cutter Hit By Hurricane

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31871, 26 December 1968, Page 14

Cutter Hit By Hurricane

(New Zealand Press Association) WHANGAREI, December 25. A young English couple, Mr and Mrs Terry Banks, have reached port at Whangaroa in their 38ft sailing cutter after battling through a hurricane just south of the Kermadecs.

Hurricane winds struck the cutter Dorothy Lou on Friday, December 13, and battered it for four days. Before the hurricane the cutter was a smart craft, but when she arrived at Whangaroa some of her forward timbers were sprung, her frame was cracked, the paintwork was scoured to the wood, her steering vane was smashed, and her sails frayed. The couple left England 18 months ago and were en route from Tahiti to New Zealand. They had expected to complete the crossing in 23 I days, but it took them 30. “We were blown 300 miles off course —and over most of that distance we were travelling sideways,” said Mr

Banks. At the height of the hurricane the waves were 60ft high and the wind more than 100 miles an hour. Mrs Banks, who is seven months pregnant, said she was too terrified to go on deck. When it was not her turn to work the bilge pump she secured herself as best she could on the floor of the boat and tried to sleep. The couple hope to stay in New Zealand until repairs are made to Dorothy Lou—and until the new crew member is fit to travel.