OIMARA’S VOYAGE

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 187, 6 May 1931, Page 8

OIMARA’S VOYAGE

Aucklander’s Return

TRANS-TASMAN RACE Further details of the yacht Oimara’s voyage from Auckland to Melbourne, via Sydney, were given yesterday by Mr. C. Constance, of Auckland, who returned by the Maunganui. Mr. C. Constance, who is a member of the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, was the only New Zealander on the Oimara when it made the trans-Tasman trip. They bad a good voyage, he said, with only one bad day, when they ran.into heavy weather and the main gaff carried away. The yacht left Sydney for Melbourne on March 30, and hud fine weather for the first two days out. On the third day they ran into a heavy south-westerly gale, which washed the engine away, and they were hove-to for five days under a sea'anehor. The weather cleared for one complete day, at the end of which it again became bad, and they were hove-to for another stretch of four days. Food by this time was running short, and the crew of four subsisted on boiled rice, golden syrup and some New Zealand biscuits. They called in at a small port before making the final 120-mile run to Melbourne. The yacht and its owner and crew got a wonderful reception in Melbourne, and the clubs who had been right against the scheme, thinking the boat unseaworthy. were the first to congratulate them. Dr. Bennell, the owner, was absolutey the finest sport Mr. Constance had ever met. He had had some trying experiences, but had never betrayed any sign of disappointment or regret. He was a popular hero in Melbourne. Mr. Constance has come back convinced that the trans-Tasman race could be a great event in future seasons. Another, he said, should certainly be held the season after next, although, of course, preparations for the race cost a good deal. The recent race had shown that small yachts were quite capable of the trip, and in this connection he congratulated the other boats, particularly the New Zealand yacht, on their fine performances.