Yachtsmen Forced To Shelter At Hen Is.

Northern Advocate, 8 January 1948, Page 2

Yachtsmen Forced To Shelter At Hen Is.

A TWO-DAY fishing expedition developed into a seven-day enforced stay at the Hen Island, when the 1611 mullet boat Yvonne Celeste was caught out in the easterly weather last week. She was recovered yesterday morning by the launch Gunner, from Leigh. Her crew, Messrs J. Torkington, of Leigh, and R. Brewester, of Papatoetoe, were safe and none the worse for their experience.

The Gunner, a beamy 40ft Dieselpowered launch which had been used by the Navy during the war years, set off in command of Mr Norman Warren, from Leigh at daybreak yesterday. She headed directly into ihe heavy seas and high wind, rolling her scuppers under at times. After a wet and uncomfortable fourhottr trip she made the Hen. whore she found the Yvonne Celeste at anchor under the light on the westward or shoreward end of the island. SAFE AT ANCHOR

Although not in any real danger, they welcomed her appearance-. The Gunner anchored alongside in the 100 of the island for about an hour and then commenced the tow to Urquhart’s Bay.

By this time the wind had eased slightly and though there were plenty of white caps about, no great difficulty was experienced. The tow occupied more than two hours.

The police party on the Aumoe left the Town Wharf at midday yesterday and after keeping a lockout for any boat answering the missing boat’s description in the harbour, began inquiries at Urquhart’s Bay. More than 20 yachts and launches were anchored at Woolshed Bay. where it was learned from the party on board the Gunner that the missing craft had been found and towed to safety. Both the Gunner and the Yvonne Celeste will "be returning to Leigh as soon as weather conditions permit.

With luxuriant growths of whiskers. Messrs Torkington and Brewester were interviewed in the tiny cockpit of their craft as it lay securely at anchor in Urquhart’s Bay yesterday afternoon.

They said their main concern 'had been the anxiety of their relatives and their first act on arrival at the bay had been to go ashore and put telephone calls through to their families. Speaking of their week’s enforced isolation at the Hen, they said they were not uncomfortable.

They left Leigh last Thursday with the intention of spending two days fishing. The weather reports at that time, they stated, were quite favourable, tiut they were caught out.

The wind increased, in velocity and heavy seas were soon running. They had no option but to make for the Hen, as their 16ft vessel would soon have been swamped. Sheltered water under the light on a promontory on the western end of the island provided a good anchorage for them, and with their small dinghy they were/’able to land without trouble. FOOD, WATER

They found a good supply of water in a gully near the light, and had not gone short of food as fish had been very plentiful. ■ Their cooking was done on a small camp cooker carried with them, and they had slept on board each night. They had had ample time to examine their surroundings and had “walked, all over the island.”

During one of their hikes they saw a number of tuatara lizards One of them was captured. Before releasing it ' they measured the creature and found it was illin. long.

On Tuesday they saw the National Airways plane from the north fly over the isiand, out they were not aware that it was searching for them and they could not tell whether they had been spotted. During the same day-the Yale Expedition’s vessel, Manana, bound for Otehei Bay, called at the island and came alongside of them. They were given fresh oread and meat. GUNNER’S APPEARANCE 5

When 'the Gunner hove in sight yesterday morning and made straight for them, they recognised her from a distance and realised that she had been searching for them.