WHALER CAPSIZES

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 69, 15 December 1930, Page 12

WHALER CAPSIZES

Naval Reservists Aboard NARROW ESCAPES Rough Day in Harbour While sailing their whaler in the harbour on Saturday afternoon, ratings from the Wellington Division «f the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve were precipitated into the sea when a heavy squall struck their boat a mile off Pipitea Point./. When the men were picked up Chief Petty Officer Cox was in a semi-conscious condition, and Leading Seaman Buck was also in a bad way. The accident happened when the whaler was tacking to put about, and just as she was on the turn she was hit by a broadside sea, which buried her to the gunwales. ' . ~ x it ■ The crew immediately jumped into the sea to escape being dragged down with the boat, but the storm sail caught four men and carried them under. Fortunately, the boat shifted slightly, enabling the men under the sail to struggle clear. Petty Officer Cox was in a bad way, being drawn right under the boat, and some difficulty was experienced in getting him clear from the rigging. After turning over twice the whaler floated keel uppermost, and eight of the crew managed to clamber on top of her. Tbe remainder were not so lucky, and they drifted away from the boat. Chief Petty Officer Cox was being supported by Ordinary Seaman Couper, while some yards away two men were sharing a lifebelt between them. .xx. The seas were ty this, time getting worse, but the plight of the men had been seen from the shore, and assistance from the Star Boating Club was forthcoming. The signalman in the tower above the Wellington Harbour Board’s tolls office also realised the plight of the men, and informed the officer on duty in the office. This official immediately rang the boat harbour at Oriental Bay for a launch from there to proceed to the scene of the accident, while arrangements were also made for the dispatch of the Harbour Board launch Huia from the Glasgow Wharf. The assistance came in the nick of time for the four men, who were, by this time feeling the effects of their battle with the seas. Cox and Couper were rescued by the Star club’s boat, and also the other two men, who were sharing the lifebelt. . The Huia and the Harbour Board tug Taneora rescued the remainder. Upon their arrival at the wharf C.P.O. Cox was removed to the hospital by the ■Free Ambulance, and later Leading Seaman Buck. Both men have now" completely recovered. The rest of the . crew were taken to the wharf police station and were given hot drinks by two members of the crew of the scow Kobi. The men displayed great presence, of mind and at no time became panic-strick-en. Sub-Lieutenant Smythe, who was also in the boat, is tot be congratulated on the capable way he handled the situation. , , THREE YACHTS CAPSIZE Sually Conditions in Evans Bay While yacht racing was in progress in Evans Bay on Saturday three of the centreboard boats overturned while rounding the buoy off the Patent Slip, shortly after the race. The Damfino broke her mast.

The three boats that capsised were Poneke, Lauchlan’s Jewel and Naultilus.