Were Marooned On Piercey Rock

Northern Advocate, 14 March 1944, Page 5

Were Marooned On Piercey Rock

When the rudder jammed on the privately-owned launch Huia. which was fishing off Cape Brett on Sunday, a series of remarkable incidents occurred.

Caught by a large wave, the launch, temporarily out of control, was carried on to portion of Piercey Island where, for a moment, she was left high and dry by the receding water. Four of the seven men aboard were thrown into the boiling sea, where they were in immediate peril of being dashed against the rocks. Two others stepped ashore from the stranded vessel, while the seventh man, who had been in the helmsman’s position remained on the Huia.

A following wave took the craft clear, depositing her near calm water on the sheltered side of the rocks. The sole remaining occupant of the boat threw a lifeline to the four men in the water, started the motor and succeeded in taking the Huia, which was holed and leaking, into calm water. The men who had been thrown overboard succeeded in regaining the launch, which was made safe by a repe thrown from the shore near the lighthouse. Lashed by a high wind, the seas were running too high to attempt immediate rescue of the two men marooned on the rocks. A rocket line, however, was fired from the vicinity of the lighthouse and the men were supplied with provisions. They spent a most uncomfortable night perched on the rock and it was not until early morning that a boat, which had stood by ready to lend assistance, was able to take them off. They were none the worse for their exposure.