MISHAPS ON LAKE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20130, 27 December 1939, Page 6

MISHAPS ON LAKE

REGATTA TROUBLES POWER CRAFT BATTERED UPSETS AND SINKINGS DAMAGE BY COLLISIONS (Special to the Herald.) WAIROA, this day. Power craft which participated in the annual regatta on Waikaremoana yesterday suffered the most severe buffeting experienced for at least 11 years, and the function was characterised by a series of accidents. The conditions on the lake were the worst for years, and it was unfortunate that the water should have been so unsuitable on an occasion when there was the biggest array of power boats ever seen on the lake.

Craft from many parts of the North Island were present, including a good muster from Gisborne and Wairoa and representatives also from Auckland and Wellington, including several boats that were being tried out seriously for the first time. Had the water been reasonably calm, the regatta should have been the most successful ever held at Waikaremoana, for in addition to the large number of craft participating there was an attendance of 3000 people. Several Boats Damaged

Damage was caused to several of the boats through collisions, and many of the craft were severely strained from the severe buffeting they experienced, one of the lighter type suffering so badly that it sank later in 30ft. of water. Several others capsized, and other competing boats stopped to effect rescue work.

In the outboard handicap there were three capsizes and one collision. Thirteen starters went away in this event, and only three finished. The collision was between B. Jenkins’ C. U. Later, an Otahuhu contestant, and Stevenson’s Gee Jay, from Wellington. The Otahuhu boat had its side crashed in, while the motor was torn out of the Wellington craft. This race was abandoned.

The outboard championship was also abandoned. I. Malpa’s Rainbow, another Wellington entry, was leading, but Malpa was thrown out as he was rounding a buoy. W. Hegarty’s Hell’s Bells • and B. Jenkins’ C. U. Later, v/hich were following, stopped to give assistance. Big Launches Collide The big launch race also provided a thrill. A. M. White’s Maritza, Gisborne, collided with Tapper’s Kotuka, Waikaremoana, the latter having its bow stove in. Following the buffeting it had experienced in earlier running and after taking the inboard record, E. A. Jones’ Baby Pam, Wairoa, sank in 30ft. of water. This morning it was not known what arrangements would be made for completing the events or whether the remainder of the races would be abandoned. There was some talk in Wairoa of holding the races when the water became more suitable, while suggestions were made of combining the uncompleted part of the programme with the Wairoa regatta on Saturday. Small Results List Winners of the completed events were:— Outboard Lap Record, half-mile.— B. Jenkins' C. U. Later, Otahuhu. Time, 48see. Inboard Record, one mile.—E. A. Jones’ Baby Pam, Wairoa. Time, 2min Ssec.

Waikaremoana Championship For Inboard Motors.—A. Sandlant’s Joanne, Gisborne, 1; J. Hedley’s Maha, Wairoa, 2.