Wanea sails from Lyttelton

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32977, 25 July 1972, Page 14

Wanea sails from Lyttelton

The Dunedin yacht Wanea, which sailed from its home port last month amid widespread publicity and with the avowed intention of sailing to Mururoa to protest against the French bomb tests, is apparently heading back home after getting as far as Lyttelton.

The 28ft sloop, which has spent 20 days in various ports and four days at sea since leaving Port Chalmers,

sailed from Lyttelton shortly after noon on Saturday. Timaru was named as its intended destination.

However, by late last night the Timaru Harbour Board, the Timaru shore radio station, the local fishing fleet, and the boat builder who was called in to assist with engine repairs when the Wanea was there a fortnight ago, were all in the dark as to the vessel’s position.

When the Wanea arrived at Lyttelton a week ago it was manned by two former Otago University students. Messrs S. Pilbrow, aged 27, and J. Humphries, aged 21, said they had given up their studies to sail to Mururoa. They had been forced to spend three days in Oamaru because of bad weather and 11 days in Timaru to overhaul the engine. The engine, however, failed less than 24 hours after its overhaul and further repairs were necessary at Lyttelton, they said. Mr Humphries was not seen at Lyttelton after the Wanea arrived, but Mr Pilbrow was on the sloop and made some repairs to the engine, which he said had been fouled by some cotton waste. Mr Pilbrow was last seen aboard the Wanea last Wednesday, On Thursday and Friday last week the Wanea’s cabin was locked and there was no sign of life. Yesterday the Lyttelton Harbourmaster (Captain D. Holden) said that he had learned the Wanea had sailed for Timaru. It is not known who is aboard the Wanea at present.

Motor-cycling.—The .New Zealand rider, K. Newcombe, finished fifth behind the world champion. G. Agostini in a 500 c.c. race at the Swedish motorcycle grand prix meeting in Anderstorp. Newcombe is lying In equal sixth place In the standings.