YACHT WRECKED

Evening Post, Volume 32, Issue 32, 6 August 1931, Page 7

YACHT WRECKED

A SWIM FOR LIFE

ADVENTURE AT AUCKLAND

(By Telegraph.) (Special to "The Evening Post.") AUCKLAND, This Day^ A sv.im of 200 yards through ice cold surf and a barefoot struggle over oyster-covered rocks at Basgitoto Island were the final stages of a desperate adventure which befell three students of Auckland University College—Murray A. Fastier, aged 21; John M'Cormack, aged 20, and Miss Joyce Hewitt, aged 19 —shortly after 1 o'clock in the morning. Befoie they reached the island the students had been in dire peril as their yacht, a 16 footer, lay out of control at th» mercy of the squally weather. Tho boat had sprung a leak off Bean Bock, and sank when blown on to the reef m attempting to make Bangitoto wharf. Mr. Fastier said that he and M'Cormack purchased the boat a few weeks ago, and on Tuesday night, after their collego lecture, wont to Judge's Bay to continue the fitting out Miss Hewitt had been assisting them in making sails, and accompanied them. "About half-past nine we started to take the boat from Judge's Bay to the Auckland Bowing Club's shed in Mechanics' Bay, but on rounding the breakwater we were caught by the tide and a strong westerly wind, and carried rapidly down the harbour. "When close to the Bean Bock light we tried to turn the yacht, but in lowering the centreboard we strained the centreboard casing and tho craft started to make water. For a long while we made an effort to tack back. The weather was very squally, and^it was soon obvious that we could not do any tacking with the centreboard in a weakened condition. "Putting all sail on, we decided to go with the wind and make a run for Bangitoto. We had to bale strenuously the whole way, and although we tried to make for the wharf, we missed it by about a mile. Our boat got too close inshore, the keel hit the reef, and was wrenched clean out, and the boat filled yin no time." When the yacht began to sink, continued Mr. Fastier, they hastily removed their greatcoats, footwear, and all superfluous clothing, and started the long swim to shore. Fortunately all are fairly good swimmers, and in spite of the intense coldness of the water, they succeeded in gaining ther island without suffering serious harm. They landed on oyster-covered rocks, which they had to cross in their bare feet to reach the nearest cottage, several hundred yards away. They were given food and clothing.