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Hokitika Guardian, 26 September 1939, Page 2

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MARIE AT RUSSELL. RUSSELL, Sep. 24. After a stormy voyage (from tiie Fijian Islands the 34ft yawl Marie, owned and commanded' by Captain Frank Dona, arrived at Russell late this afternoon, having completed an enjoyable cruise of the Pacific which began at Auckland on June 17. Also on the vessel are Mr E. Long, a retired school; teacher, of Whangaruru,. and Mr Neville James, of Wanganui, ,-oth of whom left New Zealand in ihe yacht. , , Captain Dona, who is a_ NetherIa nderjr Beached N--w Zealand from Seattle, via,'Australia, last March. Hie yawl was built at Seattle and she was flying the United States flag on her arrival this afternoon. NEWS OF THE WARAfter leaving New Zealand in June the Marie visited Sunday Island and then spent a considerable time calling at out of the way spots in the Tongan Group. Subsequently, she called at Suva, and then at- Kandavu, in the-'Fijian Group. The crew heard of the outbreak of the war by radio shortly after leaving Kandavu and were able to keep in touch with developments by means of the vessel’s receiving set.

The trip from Kandavu proved the most difficult of the cruise, lasting 13 days. The yawl was -only 60 miles from Gape Brett six days ago, but a strong southerly storm was then encountered. The vessel was hovo-to but the galo blew her 200 miles out of her course towards the Kermadces. The yawl behaved very well in spite of the high seas, but a particularly heavy gust split the mizzon, necessitating the fixing of the spare one. When the gale subsided the yacht was becalmed for a day.