Large Yacht Lashed By Storm

Grey River Argus, 17 March 1947, Page 5

Large Yacht Lashed By Storm

P.A. WELLINGTON. March 16. Napier was storm-lashed, and with her auxiliary engine out of commission. a 57-foot. keeled yacht, Waitangi, was in distress at the south'of Black Head, approximately 70 miles south of Napier. It was towed back to Napier by a trawler yesterday afternoon-

The W’aitangi was on a voyage from Auckland to Lyttelton. She had passed Hawke’s Bay on Wednesday night, and when picked up by a trawler which was despatched in response to a radio call for help, the Waitangi was lying between Cape Turnagain and Black Head. The yacht left Auckland on Tuesday morning, March 4,’ having been bought by Mr J. H. Killian, of Lyttelton, who was endeavouring to sail her non-stop to that port. 'The storm struck the vessel early on Thursday morning, carrying away some of her sails 1 . The auxiliary motor failed, and as the yacht was unable to continue, it was decided to send out an S.O.S. 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 at Wellington. At. 10 p.m. 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: K. W. Windsor, of Auckland as wireless* operator; M. Yule, also of Auckland, and an elderly man named Hillier.