TRAWLER’S ADVENTURES

Greymouth Evening Star, 29 May 1936, Page 7

TRAWLER’S ADVENTURES

MATE’S DESCRIPTION

“GLAD TO BE OUT OF IT”

[by CABLE—PRESS assn. —COPYRIGHT.]

LONDON, May 27.

The “Daily Mail’s” Dakar correspondent says: The trawler “Girl Pat” is now believed to be heading for Capetown. When she called at Dakar, Captain Osborne came ashore, and told the harbourmaster that he wanted to restock the vessel with food, and have her engines repaired. The authorities were discussing what action could be taken, when suddenly, the trawler slipped out to sea again, leaving behind the mate, Harry Stone, and also unpaid bills. Stone, interviewed, said: “When we’ set out from Grimsby, we did not go fishing, as supposed, but w*a made straight "tor Dover, where we put the engineer ashore, because he was becoming restless. The engines broke down son. after leaving Calais.We managed to patch them up, - but* they broke down again. We'were forced to use sail. The vessel called at Luges, in Spain, when we bought a sixpenny atlas, with the aid of which we managed to reach Vigo.' We 'then went to Cuncubion, where we stayed for fifteen days. We had a grand time. The maritime authorities there lent us money. We slept all day, and spent the nights in the cafes. We then struck some uninhabited islands. We stayed on one for three days, mending our sails, after which we hugged the African coast to Cape Blanco, where wo renewed our provisions, but these were all stolen on us, as also was part of the vessel’s equipment, while wo were ashore. We tried to get more food at Port Etienne, but were unable to do ‘bo, because we had no money. All we had aboard, before calling at Dakar was three bottles of water, a little wine and a tin of milk for five men. I am through with the adventure. lam glad to be out of it.” 5

Stone is reported to have told the Dakar port officials that the- crew intended to sell ,the vessel, and divide the money.

HUNT FOR TREASURE.

(Recd. May 29, noon.) . DAKAR, May 28.

Stone disclosed that a treasure hunt was the object of the Girl Pat, which unsuccessfully aimed at the Salvage Islands. -■

UNDERWRITERS PAY

(Reed- May 29,- 8 a.m.) LONDON, May 28.

it is understood the majority of underwriters have agreed to settle the claim of £<3600, on the total loss of the Girl Pat, as the expenses to attempt to recover her are mounting up. The legal process at any ports wherein she puts in are necessarily slow and expensive. If recovered before the settlement of the claim, the owners will take possession, otherwise the boat will be sold, the proceeds going to underwriters as salvage.