YACHT IN DISTRESS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22281, 17 March 1947, Page 2

YACHT IN DISTRESS

S.O.S. MESSAGE TOWED TO NAPIER WAITANGI IN STORM (P-A.) NAPIER. March 17. Storm-lashed and with the auxiii&rr engine out of commission, the 57-foot keel yacht Waitnngi, after being in distress jiouth of Black Head, approximately 70 miles south of Napier, was towed back to Napier by a tarwler on Saturday afternoon. The Waitangi was on a voyage from Auckland to Lyttelton. She passed Hawke’s Bay on Wednesday night and when picked up by the trawler, which was dispatched in response to a radio call for help the Waitangi was lying between Cape Turn Again and Black Head. The yacht left Auckland on Tuesdav morning, March 4, having been bought by Mr. J. H. Killian, of Lyttelton. He originally intended to sail her nonstop to Lyttelton but after a heavy blow near East Cape put into Gisborne on March 9 for repairs to the mainsail. A storm struck the vessel early on Thursday morning, carrying away some of her sails. The auxiliary motor failed, and as the yacht was unable to continue, it was decided to send out an SOS call from the yacht’s radio. This was picked up by an amateur operator. Mr. G. McDonell, a farmer, of Ohakea. who advised the Marine Department, Wellington. At 10 p.nn on Friday radio contact with the yacht was established by Mr. W. Taylor, of Napier, who subsequently maintained contact.

On board the yacht were Mr. Killian and his wife, Mr. W. K. Windsor, of Auckland, as wireless operator, Mr. M. Yule, also of Auckland, and an elderly man named Hiller.