TERRIFIC GALE

Grey River Argus, 16 January 1940, Page 8

TERRIFIC GALE

j At Auckland YACHTS’ ROUGH TIME. AUCKLAND, January 14. With the hazards of the storm heightened by the fear of the coastal defence batteries opening fire on an unidentified craft, the crew of the mullet boat, Teddy, were forced to sail from Rangitoto to Auckland at the height of the gale this morning. Buffetted by heavy seas and using the searchlights from the batteries as their guide in blinding rain squalls they found a shelter at St. Mary’s Bay at 6 otelock. With Mr. L. W. Ball, of Hastings, as skipper, the yacht put into Islington Bay yesterday as a precaution against bad weather. When the gale reached its peak about 2 o’clock this morning, her anchor began to drag. There was finally no alternative but to run before the gale. “In the heavy seas the dinghy was soon awash and we had to cut it adrift,’’ said Mr. Ball. “It was blowing a terrific gale. We were picked up in the beam of the searchlight and realised we were in grave danger of being fired on.’’ The seas became worse as the boat approached North Head. Three of the party donned life-jackets and the spinnaker beam was unlashed to support another man in the event of disaster. No sooner < had the boat rounded North Head than the wind suddenly veered, threatening to carry them back to sea. They were forced to make for Orakei, shipping green seas three feet over the bow. A keen tussle with wind and waves was again necessary before they entered the boat harbour about 6 o’clock. AUCKLAND, January 14. A terrifying night was spent by three young men and a girl when the keeler, “Sinbad,” was driven ashore

in high seas off. Matiatia, Waiheke fsland, early this morning. All suffered painful injuries, and narrowly escaped with their lives. The crew of the vessel comprised Mr. G. McCarthy, of Devonport Miss L. David • son, her brother, Mr. S. L. Davidson, and Mr. W. Mullins, all of Mount Eden.

With a high wind sweeping across Matiatia Bay last night, the yacht became entangled with two launches Eventually the yacht got clear, but her anchors were dragging. It was decided to make out of the bay, but the yacht was driven ashore on a rocky headland. The occupants were hurled on to the rocks, suffering severe lacerations. Clad only in light yachting clothes, they made their way up the cliff in the storm It was decided that Mr. McCarthy should stay with Miss Davidson while the others went for help. Dresse’d in shorts and without shoes, Mr. Davidson and Mr. Mullins crawled over thistles and manuka stumps until they reached the house of Mr. D. Croll. Their wounds were dressed and Mr. Davidson and Mr. Croll returned for the other members of the crew, arriving back as day was breaking. Mr. Mullins was admitted to hospital, while Mr. McCarthy also received attention. An effort will be made to salvage the yacht.