WHALERS IN DANGER.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 29 June 1926, Page 10

WHALERS IN DANGER.

A CIO OK STRAIT INCIDENT. The s adden ness of iai southerly storm ‘in Clook Strait upset calculations among the ,Te Awiaite whaling .parties recently, and, unfortunately for- all concerned, the two whales captured had to bo *cu,o adrift, to save boats tand human lives (reports the Press). 'l'o make 'matters iwor.se, El. 0. Perano’s party experienced benzine troubles, wliicn ‘affected the engines of both the Sur'prise landi the Orea, which drifted for 'miles in the rough seas of the open Strait. Both boats were on one occasion dangerously close to the rocks, •near the Brothers, and the men on 'board had all preparations amide for a swim to the shore. One of the engines 'luckily “returned to life” iu the nick of time, land towed the other bade to the whaling station, after repeated stoppages and a great deal of persuasion. • .Members of the crews state that it was one of the closest calls they 'have ever experienced]—and they have had a few.

■ Interviewed, Mr, E. Cl Perano,- who was in charge of the Surprise., with Mr. Arthur Pfeberley in charge of the Urea, said that that experience was 'the closest call of his life. When the •whales were sighted in the morning, the sea was comparatively calm. They 'were successful in ibombing 'two of the 'monsters, and were making ready for the -tmv home to the station. Then their troubles commenced, the two engines failing to respond, through water getting into the benzine. A sudden southerly gale, caught them, in midb trait, and there was nothing else for it hut to cut the fastening ropes and trust to luck whether the carcases Would 'be picked up again. Elveiy effort Was made to re-start the engines, 'but 'all to no purpose, and as time went toil the seas became rougher. Both boats drifted 1 out ten miles to sea, and, in their helpless condition were cruelly buffeted by the increasing waves. Luckily, they kept within, sight of one another. On one occasion, the Surprise drifted within 40 feet of a dangerous pinnacle of .rock, and the Orea was driven even closer, only presence of 'mind saving her from destruction. When a crash seemed imminent, the deck hand tore away a. portion of the banvas and held it iu position to take the wind, thus'carrying the boat past the dangerous spot. Mr. Perano, as ft, last resource., parcelled up a box of matches iu chnvas, in the hope that he might reach land, if the worst came to the worst. The thought ran through bis mind at the time whether drowning Would not be preferable to freezing to death on the rocks, without any chance of being rescued. However, when things loked black indeed, a yell came from the Orea that the engine had (darted, and the boats were soon alongside one another. A towing line was fixed, and' a start made, lor the Sounds, •Jbut the tremendous seas experienced broke the rope asunder. By sticking to the task, calm) water was at last entered, and even the whalers, who are ko used to critical experiences, were relieved that the incident of the day had btided without a more sensational finite. Mr. Perano expected to, pick up the whale carcases later if the weather outside was favourable.