Party Rescued From Island

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31936, 13 March 1969, Page 1

Party Rescued From Island

The University of Canterbury scientific team which has been trapped on an island in the Antipodes group for several weeks by high winds and heavy seas, was picked up by the naval supply ship H.M.N.Z.S. Endeavour yesterday.

The resident naval officer in Christchurch, Lieutenant - Commander V. W. Fifield, said the Endeavour had reached the island about 7 a.m. and, finding a suitable landing place, had anchored and lowered boats by 7.30 a,m.

All the party’s equipment, except a portable laboratory, was loaded into the boats by sailors and scientists working in shoulder-deep water at a temperature of 48 degrees Fahrenheit. The wind was reported to be gusting at 40 knots, said LieutenantCommander Fifield. The Endeavour left about i 12.30 p.m., and is expected to arrive at Lyttelton about 9! a.m. on Friday. The Antipodes Islands are 458 miles south-east of Dunedin.

The head of the zoology department of the University of Canterbury (Professor G. A. Knox) said yesterday that a radio message indicated the

party of eight, five of whom are from Christchurch, was comfortable.

In an earlier attempt to pick up the party, the Endeavour steamed by the island for several days but was forced to return to Lyttelton to refuel.

While at sea, the Endeavour dumped overboard 15 tons of obsolete Army ammunition. \