Air Search Fails To Find Andromeda

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31922, 25 February 1969, Page 28

Air Search Fails To Find Andromeda

(New Zealand Press Association)

KAITAIA, February 24

Two groups of Auckland men flew to an area north of the Three Kings Islands this afternoon, but reported no sign of the drifting yawl Andromeda.

Mr M. Williams and Mr D. Whiting, who chartered one of the amphibious aircraft said the only sighting made was of a two-masted ketch about 50 miles from the search area.

Mr P. Cornes and Mr L. Subritzky, who returned to Kaitaia in their amphibian at about 4 p.m., said the cloud ceiling was low and even if a sighting had been made it was doubtful if they could have landed in the choppy sea.

An R.N.Z.A.F. Orion aircraft began searching in the area at about 5.15 p.m., but it was not immediately known if any sightings had been made.

The 37ft Andromeda, valued at $12,000, was abandoned on February 12 about 70 miles north-north-west of Three Kings after being battered by Cyclone Colleen.

The crew of four was rescued by a freighter. A Qantas pilot reported yesterday sighting a two-masted boat drifting without sails 50 to 60 miles north-north-west of the Three Kings. A wind change from south-

west to north of Kaitaia aerodrome this evening was expected to alter the course of the drifting yacht. A helicopter chartered by the Ministry of Works is to fly to the Three Kings tomorrow to investigate a site for a beacon light to aid shipping. It is not expected to divert to the search area, however. Meanwhile, the Press Association reported from Auckland that three yachts were racing north today in a second salvage bid. First off the mark was Mr S. Matheson in his 45ft ferroconcrete ketch Invictus. He left Russell, at 3 p.m. yesterday for his second search of the area. His earlier search ended at Whangaroa with head and main sails blown out. Eight hours later the 58ft ketch Arita left Paihia with a crew of four under Mr R. Mcllvride, who went out earlier on board the Treasure in an unsuccessful hunt for the Andromeda.

With a greater distance to cover, Mr Pope, of Auckland, and a crew of three left Auckland at 7 p.m. yesterday on board his 36ft ketch Wolf. The Wolf earlier turned back 200 miles short of the search area after radio trouble and warnings of big gales. CREW ASHORE In a report from Perth, the New Zealand Press Association said that the four men off the Andromeda were put ashore at Geraldton, Western Australia, yesterday. The yawl’s skipper, Mr E. Storm, navigator, Mr M. Wilkenson, cook, Mr G. O’Connor, and deckhand, Mr A. Alle, all of Sydney, had earlier tried unsuccessfully to get a helicopter to lift them from the freighter Brimnes pear Melbourne.