LAUNCH DISASTER.

Grey River Argus, 24 February 1927, Page 5

LAUNCH DISASTER.

OFF KAIPARA HARBOUR. Man Missing. OTHERS BARELY ESCAPE. I AUCKLAND, February 23. The launch Mercia, vi'hich sailed from Mercer on Sunday afternoon, for Auckland, via North Cape. %’as swept ashore by heavy seas on the south side iof the entrance to Kaipara Harbour in the early hours of this morning, and Mr L. Waters, of Auckland, who was one of the crew, is missing. The owner of the vessel, Air W. IT. Oliver, of Mercer, who was missing all day to-day, staggered in to Backlands station, at South Head, near Kaipara this evening, in an exhausted and iny.ued condition. The three other * members of the crow, Mr Oliver’s two sons. Willoughby and Clem, and Air A. Hipkins, of Auckland, are known to he safe.

The members of the party had a terrifying experience when the Mercia was nearing the entrance Io Kaipara Harbour on her way north. The engine

stopped. Heavy seas were then running, and an anchor was cast, but soon after, the anchor rope broke, and the anchor was lost. The launch was now at the mercy of the heavy breakers, and u.e commenced to drift rapidly towards the shore. Desperate endeavours were made to restart the engine, but without success. When near the shore, the deck house was carried away by a huge wave, and Messrs Olliver, Senior, and Waters were washed overboard. The other three managed to cling to the Mercia until she was driven up on the beach. They were nil exhausted, and badly bruised Their plight was made worse by the anguishing thought that the other two were drowned.

Mr Oliver came ashore some distance from the launch, and throughout to-day he wandered about among the sandhills until about 5 p.m., when he ctime upon Bucklands Station, seven or eight miles inland.

The Manager, Mr Hopkins, gave him food and put him tn bed. It is not thought that his condition is serious. T*p to midnight no "word was re-

ceived concerning Mr Waters. It is possible he also wandered inland, like Mr Oliver, but was unable to find a farmhouse. The country thereabout is very desolate ami lonely, and miles of sandhills make walking very difficult. Constable Hunt, of Ilelensville, left for South Head late this evening and will commence a search -early this morning.

Air. Hipkins, and the brothers Oliver camped near the launch this evening. Air. Waters, who resides at Devon port, is married with four children, and is a printer by occupation.

The launch Mercia was built at Aler cer by Air Oliver. One of the objects of the cruise was the cherished hope of the owner to take the first Waikatobuilt boat round North Cape. Calls were to be made at Whangaroa and at Russell, where some days were to be spent in. swordfishing. The Alercia was a sturdily-built vessel, capable of withstanding heavy weather. The ves sol’s length was 38£ feet beam 10 feer, and she was propelled by a s’o-hore power engine.

Reports from Kaipara indicate that very heavy seas were running last evening. Every effort will be concen t rated to-morrow in finding Al) - . Witters. If he was washed ashore, it is pre sumed he would be in an exhausted con dition after a fight with the breakers He would also be without food, so that any search will have to be made with -out delav.