LOST IN THE STORM

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 48, 26 February 1927, Page 15

LOST IN THE STORM

THE LAUNCH MERGIA ,-' MEMBER OF CREW MISSING (Special to "The Evening Post.") AUCKLAND, 25 th February. Stripped of the wheelhouse ' and a length of deck rail, and with two masts snapped off short, the launch Mercia, which was driven ashore near the entrance to Kaipara Harbour early on Wednesday morning, now rests on the beach. The four surviving members of the crew are recovering after their terrifying experiences, but all hope of finding alive L. K. Waters, the fifth member of the little party, who set out to take the launch on her adventurous cruise from Mercer round the North Cape to Auckland, has been abandoned. To-day preparations were being finalised to get the launch off the beach.

After being swept overboard when a big roller carried the deckhouse away, Mr. Oliver, sen., passed through a terrifying ordeal. He was whirled round and round in the breakers, but succeeded in extricating himself from the wreckage. In his attempts to escape he was .badly cut about the face, limbs, and body by glass. Once free, he set out to swim to the launch, which I was some distance away, but before he could reach her a huge wave broke over her and it appeared as if she had been swamped. With the launch gone Mr. Olliver's chance of rescue appeared slight, and he had almost given up hope when the door of the deckhouse floated past him. He clasped the door to Mm, and, using it after the fashion of a surfboard, reached the shore after "a tiring battle with the strong undertow. ;He was severely.bruised.and cut. • He collapsed on the beach, and when he awakened the sun was shining. Mr. Oliver trudged overland until he stumbled on to the Buckland Homestead, where he reported that he was the sole survivor. Shortly afterwards the news was received at the station that three other members of the crew were safe.