THE WATER LILY

Hokitika Guardian, 19 April 1933, Page 5

THE WATER LILY

SURVIVORS’ STORY

WRECKED IN ELLICE ISLANDS.

(Per Press Association Copyright.)

AUCKLAND, Aprl 18. The story of a miraculous escape from drowning in the Pacific Ocean was brought to Auckland by John Harris and F .J. Parson, of Christchurch, survivors of the wreck of the Now Zealand ketch “Water Lily,” which was caught in a squall off the island of Vaitupu. in the Ellice group, early last month and abandoned in a sinking condition. The crew of four which included the master, S. Gerard, and an Ellice islander, entered tire yacht’s dinghy, and reached the shore, after a terrific struggle against mountainous seas.

“We were lucky to get out of it alive,” was tile comment of one 0 f the ship-wrecked men, when they stepped ashore from the Banish motoifship Victoria, on her arrival from Nauru Island. “I don’t think any of Us will ever forget that trip in the open boat. We had to contend with a strong adverse current, high seas and a hot tropical sun. We had ho clothes other than shirt and shorts with which to protect our skins from the scorching sun, “Getting through the reef was a ticklish business, but we were used to that sort of thing after our experience in the Islands, and before long’-three or four native canoes came out to meet us. The natives evidently knew we would be suffering from thirst, for they had a plentiful supply of cocoanuts which we broached with joy. Our arms and legs, which were severely blistered by the sun, swelled- next day to hug£ proportions. I cjannot say. too much for the hospitality of those natives.” The rescued men owe their lives to the persistency' of the Government Department. When the “Water Lily” lay at Wellington last year,

she was detained by the Marine Department which refused to allow her to go to set without a lifeboat. A 16ft boat was eventually d'onated to the crew by Mr H. E. Card, of Eastbourne. That boat, named “The Danker” after, a famous jracphors-e owned by the donor, which won the Now Zealand Cup some years ago, saved the lives of the four men.