FEAR FOR SAFETY OF THREE MEN

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 175, 19 April 1940, Page 10

FEAR FOR SAFETY OF THREE MEN

Capsized Yacht Found

LAUNCHES AND PLANE SEARCH IN VAIN (By Telegraph—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, April 18. Grave fears are held fur the safety of three members of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, who left Tiritiri Island on Wednesday afternoon for a sail in a small yacht, which was found in the evening capsized with all sail set. The search continued throughout the night and all day today, but. though a seaplane was used in addition to naval launches no sign of the crew was found.

Tin l missing men are:— Ordinnry-Signalman W. A. Ryan. Ellerslie. Ordinary-Signalman D. C. Waite. One Tree Hill.

Signalman .1. W. Dallow, Oriental Bay. Wellington.

Tlie three men iiad been called up for naval service, mid were stationed at Tiritiri Island. When off duty on Wednesday afternoon, they set off for a sail in tlie T class 14ft. yacht Evainc, owned by Ordinary-Signalman Ryan. The yacht was last seen from Tiritiri, making toward Whangaparaoa Peninsula. The yacht was expected back at 6 o'clock, and when it bad not returned by 0.30, others stationed on the island went down to tlie wharf to look for it. There was no sign of the vessel, but this caused no alarm, as the men were not due to go on duty till 8 p.m. There was only a light northerly breeze. When they were not back in time to go on duty the naval base was advised, but still no fears were felt as the wind was still light, and it was a moonlight night. However, by 9 p.m., concern was aroused, and shortly afterward two launches left the naval base to search for tlie yacht. Meanwhile the auxiliary ketch Endeavour had loft Auckland for Portland. Between 9 and 10 p.m. she found the yacht upside down about three miles west, of Tiritiri. Unknown to tlie searchers site took tlie vessel aboard and continued on her way to Portland. Tlic yacht had all sail set, and tlie spinnaker wrapped round tlic masthead indicated that this also bad been set. When tlie Endeavour reached Portland tlie master telephoned tlie man-aging-director of tlie company in Auckland. He at once took steps to trace tlie owner of Hie yacht, and it was not till tins was done that tlie link witli (lie navy was established. In tlie meantime a naval seaplane had left at dawn to search for tlie yacht, but it returned without success. Launches from the naval base continued to search throughout tlie day. All outgoing ships were also advised to keep a look-out for Hie missing men. mid radio messages were broadcast to resident's on tlie coast mid gulf islands to watch for any sign of them. No reports bad been received, however, tonight.