YACHTSMEN IN PERIL

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 141, 12 December 1938, Page 13

YACHTSMEN IN PERIL

CRAFT CAPSIZES

RESCUE OFF PETONE BEACH

The rescue of three yachtsmen after the small centreboard craft in which they had been sailing had capsized off the Petone beach, was affected with promptitude yesterday afternoon.

Early in the afternoon the Idle Along class yacht Gipsy was taken out by Messrs. F. Beasley, J. McPhee, J. Rosevear, and G. Brown. A strong north-westerly wind was blowing and there was a heavy sea which increased as the yacht got further out on the harbour. When the yacht capsized, she was a' third of the distance to Somes Island, and the prospect of a . swim back to Petone against the choppy sea was not inviting.

Messrs. Beasley and Brown were wearing life-jackets ol the approved yachting type, and neither was in danger of sinking. The four men clung to the overturned craft for some minutes, and then decided to make for the shore. Mr. Beasley, who is a strong swimmer, made the half-mile distance in good time, but the others, handicapped by Mr. McPhee, who did not have the assistance of a life-jacket, did not make much progress after half the distance was covered.

Messrs. J. and A. .Fishburn. of 233 The Esplanade, Petone. and Mr. L. Williams, went to their assistance with a 30ft fishing launch, and shortly after 4.30 p.m. the three meri were picked up. Messrs.-Rosevear and Brown were little the worse for their experience, but Mr. McPhee was in a completely exhausted condition. Artificial respiration was employed on him, and he soon recovered.

A tribute to the efficiency of the life-jacket was paid by Mr. Rosevear when recounting his experience. He said that at no time did he feel himself in danger. When they were picked up, he was going to the assistance of Mr. McPhee. He did.not see the launch until it was alongside them.

Later in the afternoon, an attempt was made with the launch to recover the yacht. The wind was increasing, however, and, as the yacht drifted out further, efforts had to be abandoned.

The attempt to bring the Gipsy in yesterday afternoon was abandoned, but it was reported today that the craft had been washed up at Eastbourne.