HARBOUR STORM

Evening Star, Issue 22560, 30 January 1937, Page 25

HARBOUR STORM

AUCKLAND REGATTA MISHAPS SOME LUCKY ESCAPES [P*» United Prem Association.] AUCKLAND, January 29 Stormy harbour conditions which accompanied a fresh south-easterly breeze played havoc with the pleasure craft that defied the torrential rain of the early morning to take part in the Anniversary Day regatta. With the wind whipping up a difficult sea, especially in Rangitoto Channel, nearly a score of boats capsized. Cases of dismasting were frequent, and several craft suffered extensive damage to their canvas. A chapter of incidents kept the rescue launches busy throughout the afternoon. When she was standing in close to Motuihi' the E class yacht Wakanm, owned by Mr H. Kidd, of .the Devonport Yacht Club, was driven on to the rocks. The crew were forced to abandon the vessel and returned to Auckland in an excursion, boat. A member of the crew of another boat who saw the wrecked craft later reported that she appeared to be fairly badly holed. A lucky escape from drowning was made by a member of the crew of the V class yacht Decima when the tiller of the 'boat was carried away. He over-balanced and fell into the sea. Hi? companions were powerless to assist him, and the craft drifted on helplessly while he struggled in the heavy sea that was running. The desperate signals of the Decimals crew were noticed by Mr J. Frankham, of the M class yacht Manaia, and after a search extending over some minutes, he picked up the man. Although suffering severfy from exposure, the man speedily recovered. - - A The Y class boat Cupid capsized off the Sandspit at Devonport, and the crew was rescued by a naval pinnace from H.M.S. Philomel after they had been in the water for some minutes. It was found impossible to take the craft in tow, and it drifted ashore off North Head, where it was salvaged by Devonport yachtsmen, the sails being badly torn. A pinnace from the Philomel also ■went to the assistance of two L class boats which overturned in the harbour. One was successfully taken in tow and was beached at Orakei, but the endeavours to hold the other with a *He were in vain, and, breaking away, it eventually grounded at North Head, where the equipment was salvaged by residents. Later in the afternoon the Philomel received a report that the 22-foot yacht Melita was in danger in the vicinity of North Head. At the time no boat was available, but the message was transferred by signal to H.M.S. Dunedin, which despatched assistance. In the meantime, however, the yacht was assisted by a passing launch. The 14-foot yacht Manurewa capsized in Shoal Bay during the afternoon, and, although the crew was rescued, the efforts to tow the craft ashore were fruitless, and it was reported missing to-night. The Z class boat Te Hoa turned over when off Resolution buoy, and was towed to North Head by a launch. The same launch brought the 14-fool Water Beetle to Devonport after ;t bad capsized off the Sandspit drone. A boat of the V class overturned in Rangitoto and was beached at Cheltenham. A similar mishap occurred to the Z class Tamaki when near Northcote, the craft being later towed ashore. Three competitors in the Silver Fern class were overturned during their race, while another capsized shortly before starting in the event for S class boats