SCHOONER PUTS BACK

Evening Post, Volume CXL, Issue 118, 15 November 1945, Page 6

SCHOONER PUTS BACK

P.A. AUCKLAND, Nov. 14. Forced to turn back on her voyage to Rarotonga after shaft trouble developed while she was approaching the Kermadecs, the 94-ton schooner Tahitienne, which left Auckland on October 30, returned to port this morning, having sailed about 1000 miles. Her first New Zealand landfall was Deep Water Cove, which she made on Sunday last. ' The Tahitienne, which was extensively fitted out following her purchase earlier in the year by Mr. D. C. Brown, Rarotonga, was formerly owned by Messrs. A. Donald and S. Marler. Mr. Donald is in charge of the schooner, and the mate is Dr. T. R. A. Davis, who is taking up a Government post in Rarotonga. The members of the crew were making the trip purely for pleasure. The Tahitienne is to sail again for Rarotonga when her shaft has been renewed. After leaving Auckland on the night of October 30, the' Tahitienne developed rudder trouble and put into Kawau, where repairs were effected. She left the island on Saturday, November 3. Sailing with a fair wind the Tahitienne made good time till she was about 400 miles out, when she encountered flat calms. The Diesel engine was started, but when the Tahitienne was off the Star of Bengal Bank, an outlying extremity of the Kermadecs, it was found that the tailshaft was too light for the powerful motor, and was giving trouble. It was decided that, in view of the possibility of further calms, and the necessity for cruising under power, it would be wise to return and replace the shaft.