DRIVEN ASHORE

Northern Advocate, 7 June 1933, Page 2

DRIVEN ASHORE

LAUNCH AND PAL TV. A TER PIPY TNG ORDEAL. LUCKY LANDING. (Special to “Northern Advocate.”) WELLINGTON, Tuesday. A dramatic story of the breaking down of tlio launch Kcrereu outside the Wellington Heads and its buffeting by a. fierce gale for several hours before being cast up on the beach, was told by the crew of four, Messrs R. C, Prince, A. Wolfe, H. Green and H. Nagle, when they reached Wellington by car yesterday afternoon. The launch was discovered by an aeroplane throAvn up on the sandy beach at Palliser Bay, and four men believed to be the crew were seen walking towards Air E. Riddiford ’s station. The break-down of the craft and the escape of the men were confirmed when they reached the station. They were later sent on by car to Wellington. The party was fishing off Baring Head until Sunday afternoon, when they decided, on account of the freshening wind, to return to the harbour. However, a defective pump put the engine out of commission intermittently, and, the wind changing to a strong south-easterly, the launch was driven towards the rocky coast. Two sails were set, but they were carried away, and the plight of the occupants became serious. As a. last resort to save the launch, two anchors were dropped when the craft was a few hundred yards from the shore. The gale increased to hurricane force, and about 0 p.m. a huge sea broke over her and both lines snapped. Wave after Avave swept the fin ft craft, which Avas driven torvards the shore, and the four men expected every minute to be piled up among the breakers on the rocks. Eventually the launch struck', and, to their amazement and great relief, the creAv found that they had been cast up on a sandy beach.

The nii>lil was pitcli dark. mid, having jumped ashore, the men decided to spend tlie night in the sernh. Here they made a (ire of driftwood and awaited the morning. They were then seen by an aeroplane piloted by Captain Boult, wliieli had been despatched to seareli the launch. The aeroplane went to Mr Riddiford’s station, and there dropped a note describing the position of the party. Two men set out on horseback, and brought the four men back to the homestead. The launch is not believed to have suffered much damage, and it is expected that it will be possible to tow it back to the harbour.