EIGHT-OAR CREW IN PERIL

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 150, 20 March 1936, Page 12

EIGHT-OAR CREW IN PERIL

Capsize in Choppy Sea

LONG IMMERSION IN CHILLY WATER Lucky Rescue in Darkness SMART WORK BY AIR FORCE LAUNCH By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, March 19. Nine members of the West End Rowing Club had a remarkable escape from drowning off the mouth of Whau Creek to-night when their eight-oared boat was swamped in rough water. They were all rescued more than half an hour later in pitch darkness as the result of very capable work by the crew of a fast launch which had been sent from Hobsonville Air Base in response to an alarm given by four other members of the club who rowed ashore to Te Atatu after seeing the mishap. The oarsmen comprised the club's junior eight, consisting of G. Conway, coach and coxswain. M. H. D. Conway, E. J. G. Hotham, J. Poland, W. Burrell, E. J. O’Mahoney, J. H. Howe. E. Raper and N. Bellamy. . The eight left the club's shed a litt.e after 5.30 p.m. for the purpose of taking the boat to Whan Creek, where it was to be stored in preparation for the Auckland Rowing Association’s championship regatta. About the .same time a lightweight maiden four from the club also proceeded up-harbour. Until it approached the entrance io Whau Creek the eight made good progress against the tide, but with a, following sea and the wind from the north-east some water was shipped at the creek mouth. Some distance from either shore the boat ran into a confused sea and a following wave, running along the stern canvas, came aboard, rapidly filling the craft. "When we saw we were going down w e gave a one, two, three, and the loudest shout we could manage altogether,” said one ot* the crew. in about two seconds the boat was under water and we were all swimming. Most of the men retained their oars, and all clung to the boat until it was evident it could not support their weight. The water was extremely cold and a strong ebb tide was running. Struck Out for Shore. Hotham, O’Mahoney, and Bellamy struck out for the shore on the Te Atatu side, the two first-mentioned sharing an oar as Hotham’s had jammed in the outrigger. The pair soon became separated from Bellamy, and decided to make for a beacon which they saw some distance away. Hotham was swept toward it and clung to the timbers, receiving scratches on his chest and legs. He was still holding on when rescued more than half an hour later. O’Mahoney was carried further inshore by the current, where lie found the water much colder and the tide sc strong that he could inake no progress against it. Bellamy drifted in another direction toward Point Chevalier, and he of all the nine was the last to be picked up. G. Conway and Burrell., who was an indifferent swimmer, remained clinging to the boat and the others drifting off in the gathering darkness. All were feeling the effect of the cold water and realised that, unless help came they would soon be afflicted with cramp. The accident was seen oy the even of the four which was about a mile further over toward Kauri Point, iismooth water. As soon as they' saw the eight disappear they rowed the!-’ hardest toward Te Atatu and landc’ on a mud bank. Emptying the wale: out of their boat they waded ashore and made for the post office, from which they telephoned Hobsonville air base. As soon as the news, was receive l at the air base a scratch crew was quickly got together by the Royal New Zealand Air Force. A fast launch '•*- longing to the base, which is capable of a speed of about 17 knots, was flot under way and was soon hurrying downharbour at top speed. Dusk was closing in and the prospect of finding the oarsmen in such a wide expanse oi. shoal water was not very hopeful. On nearing the mouth of Whau Creek the launch encountered an 18ft. boat containing two men who were fishing. One of these, J. Sampson, was embarked as pilot. By that time it was so dark that the crew knew they would have to rely mainly on their ears to locate the men for whom they were searching, with possibly some aid from an electric torch. After grounding for a minute or two on a mud bank and then getting off again cries were heard and presently, the launch came upon the waterlogged eight with two men clinging to it. The cold had nearly overcome them and they were in the act of shaking hands by way of final farewell when the rescuers arrived.

When pulled from the water one of them, Burrell, was suffering a good deal from shock and exposure. The launch then cruised slowly about, using the engine as little as possible while the crew listened for cries.

Eventually all the remaining seven men were picked up one’ by one. They were scattered over a distance of fully half a mile. In the darkness one of them was nearly run down.Having got them all aboard the crew took off their jackets and shirts and made the castaways as comfortable as possible on the journey down to the city. Burrell was taken off at once to Auckland Hospital in an ambulance The others by that time had almost recovered. Hotham, O’Mahoney, and Howe, who are police constables attached to the central station, were taken back to the barracks in a car which Sub-Inspector Scott had ready for them. After hot baths, Hotham and Howe went on night duty as usual.

Under the difficult conditions prevailing, the Air Force crew did a remarkably smart piece of work. Tbe» were operating in shoal water wile a swift current running In complete darkness.

After sending off the launch, tin* air base telephoned to the city, and a broadcast appeal was made from station IVA to yachtsmen to go to the rescue. The broadcast was lucked up at Devonport Naval Base, and a launch with a full crew was immedi ately sent to search off Point Chevalier The waterfront police manned another launch and also set off up harbour, but the services of neither craft were required.