MISSING LAUNCH PICKED UP

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 3478, 14 October 1926, Page 7

MISSING LAUNCH PICKED UP

Drifting Disabled For Three Days

CREW OF THREE ALL WELL

[Per Press Association.] CHRISTCHURCH, Last Night.

The missing launch Dauntless was sighted by the ferry steamer Maori this morning and the three men, John McNeill, Patrick McLean and Paddy Drien, were picked up 'at B a.m. all well.

They left Lyttelton to fish at 8.30 on Sunday morning and should have returned by noon, hut heavy seas sprang up and the petrol gave out. All hope of their safety was given up last night because of the big storm raging and the fact that they had not been seen anywhere round Banks Peninsula. The launch had been buffeted by a howling southerly and raging seas. Water got into the magneto on Sunday afternoon and the engine was useless. A sail was hoisted, but it was carried away during Sunday night. On Monday a makeshift sail was rigged up and, by the aid of this, the men, 'all experienced seamen, kept the craft in the track of the ferry steamers, in sP'to of the terrible weather. The Maori was late this morning, otherwise she would have passed the launch in the dark and probably not seen it. When picked up the men were remarkably fit, though they had had neither food nor drink since Sunday at noon. They drifted 40 miles up the coast.