YACHT IN TROUBLE

Evening Star, Issue 25676, 27 December 1945, Page 4

YACHT IN TROUBLE

BOY DROWNED COMPANION RESCUED (P.A.) AUCKLAND, December 2^. The body of one of two brothers whose yacht got into difficulties at Wa'ihelke last night was found on the rocks in Owanake Bay by a police launch this morning It was that of Bruce Macdonald (17), of 15 Greenfield road, Epsom. The other occupant of the boat, Angus Macdonald,, deceased’s brother, was found aboard the yacht anchored in the bay about 4.30 a.m. He had suffered a little from exposure, but was otherwise unhurt. The father of the boys last saw his sons when they left Mechanics Bay, Auckland, in the Z-class yacht Kiatoa at 1 p.m. yesterday. .Owing to rough weather they had decided to go as far as St. Heliers and stay the night there, but later changed their minds and went on to Waiheke Island. The Auckland police were notified at 6.30 last night that a yachf'had been seen in distress. A yachtsman, Henry Putt, went to the rescue, and then found only one youth aboard, the latter stating that they had had trouble with the mainsail and the brother had set off to swim ashore. Putt also had trouble with his own boat, and had to give up the rescue attempt. The last he saw of the Kiatoa was the boy attempting to paddle towards the shore with a piece of wood. Returning to Waiheke, Putt gave the alarm, but search by launch failed to reveal any trace of the yacht. .The police continued the search and picked up the yacht and the boy in Owanake Bay early this morning.