A CURIOUS RESCUE

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 145, 16 December 1933, Page 11

A CURIOUS RESCUE

THE LAME AND THE HALT

LAUNCH SINKS IN HARBOUR

A mishap to the engines of the' coastal motor-ship Kapiti as she was leaving Wellington on Thursday afternoon for Wanganui was largely responsible for the rescue of two men who were aboard a 26ft launch, the Venture, which wa3 adrift in the harbour. The Kapiti put into Worser Bay about 4 p.m. oil account of engine, trouble, and left again about 5 o'clock on her voyage to Wanganui. She had not gone far, however, when the trouble became moro acute- and the ship was headed back to Wellington. • She did not return until it was dark, and the attention of those on board was attracted by SOS signals flashed towards them from a boat in the middle harbour. The progress of the- Kapiti was slow, and it was 11.30 before the occupants—Sydney John Hodge and Alex. Robert Pratt—-were picked up near Black Buoy.' ■ • : : , The master of the Kapiti, Captain V. Johansen, intended to take the launch in tow, but owing to a serious leak which had developed in the- little craft, it sank near Point Halswcll, and the Kapiti then returned to Wellington. She reached the Queen's Wharf at 1.20 a.m. yesterday, her progress being slow owing to some of the cylinders of her engines not functioning. Eclating his experiences Mr. Hodge said that he and Mr. Pratt left Petone on Thursday afternoon in. the Venture and went out to Baring Head for the purpose of fishing. They left Baring Head ,about, 4 p.m. on the return trip. Engine trouble in the shape of a faulty magneto held them up until temporary repairs were effected. The crfgine stopped a second time shortly afterwards, and it was decided to try and reach a Wellington anchorage. When nearing Black Buoy the boat sprang a leak and the men : were left helpless while the water slowly mounted. Repeated, signals succeeded in. attracting attention, and after a iong wait, during which, the water mounted up over the flywheel of the engine, the Kapiti came alongside and took, the men off/ Efforts were to have been made yesterday morning to refloat the sunken launch, but owing to the heavy northerly wind it was decided to postpone'the attempt until the afternoon. The Harbour Board's tug Toia left the Queen's Wharf.-at 12.50 p.m., but was unable to lift the launch.- , Yesterday's attempt to'raise the boat resulted in further complications arising. The towline carried away, and the Venture now lies in deep water off Point Halswell. Owing to the expense involved it is thought that no furthei efforts will' b& made- at Balvage, although some action will have to bo taken should the boat prove of danger to navigation. ■