BLOWN OUT TO SEA

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 15 February 1933, Page 3

BLOWN OUT TO SEA

YOUTHS IN LEAKY CRAFT SUMNER LIFEBOAT TO THE RESCUE Driven nearly nine miles out to sea in a 14-foot ship's boat, at the mercy of a blustering nor-west wind and choppy sea, with one oar only and no bailer, two youths, Alfred Cobden and Eric Vincent, had a thrilling experience for four hours off North Beach before they were rescued by the Sumner lifeboat. After the first desperate efforts to locate them had failed, an aeroplane from Wigram Aerodrome, piloted by Squadron Leader J. L. Findlay, flew out over the sea and located them just before the lifeboat had also established their bearings to effect one of its most exciting rescues to date. Had the new lifeboat not been available, it is doubtful if the frail craft, with 15 inches of freeboard only, could have withstood tho buffeting of the waves until help was available from another source. There were four youths in the ship’s boat when the adventure began. Besides the two already mentioned there were Harry Cobden, brother of Alfred Cobden, and It. G. Ilunn. OAR LOST BY ROWER’S MISTAKE

Off Waimari the crew, were enjoying exciting sport some distance from the shore when one rower “caught a Crab” and in the resultant mix-up one oar drifted away. Harry Cobden immediately dived overboard to retrieve it. The boat drifted to sea at a great rate, however, and although Dunn also dived overboard to lend a hand, the task of pushing the oar back was hopeloss. IT. Cobden and Dunn turned and swam ashore—more than a mile—and sought help. They realised the danger, especially as A. Cobden and Vincent were indifferent swimmers. At North Beach, Mr J. Breward, who was in charge of the Surf Club’s patrol work for tile day, took stock of the situation quickly and telephoned to the Sumner police station, giving full particulars and asking for assistance from the lifeboat’s crew. LIFEBOAT’S READY RESPONSE

It was about 11.45 a.m. when the youths first were in trouble, but word was sent to Constable Johns of Sumner by just after 1 p.m. The siren on Cave Rock was sounded at 1.15 p.m. Nine of the full complement of 12 of tho new lifeboat, Rescue 11., found upon arrival at the Scarborough boat harbour that the low water would cause considerable launching difficulties. It took the willing co-operation of all present--crew and spectators—to take the Rescue IT.—she weighs four tons—from the two feet of water in which she lay to deep water. Half an hour was lost. Luckily that time was not as critical a loss as might easily have been the ease. . The inadequacy of the launching facilities for the lifeboat needed no better emphasis. Cobdcn’s brother arrived at Sumner from North Beach in time to give tli6 boat’s crew some idea of the position of the drifting craft, which by this time was out of sight of those watching from *North Beach and Waimairi. The Rescue 11. made very good time up the coast, and at one stage was within two miles of the two youths but because its equipment did not include binoculars—they were stolen recently—more valuable time was lost.

CO-OPERATION IN LOCATING DRIFTING BOAT Near North Beach the lifeboat’s captain decided to pit in close in the shore to secure fresh bearings, and his move proved to be very wise. Mr Breward put out to meet the searchers in a canoe and gave them such a good idea of the direction taken by the drifting craft that within about 20 minutes the two youths were safe on the lifeboat and their craft was taken in tow. They were then about nine miles from land.

It was at this time that the aeroplane piloted by Squadron Leader J. L. Findlay, officer commanding at Wigram Aerodrome, passed over North Beach and proceeded to sea. Squadron Leader Findlay had no difficulty in spotting the drifting boat, and swooped low over the lifeboat as it was taking the youths on board. He then flew how over North Bench and indicated to those there that all was well. Conditions in the air were very bumpy, hut his response to the request for assistance in the search had been exceedingly prompt and his operations were well directed.

BAILING BY HAND TO KEEP AFLOAT

The two youths rescued were little the worse for their experience, although suffering from cold. They wore bathing costumes only, and would probably have been worse off had it not been for the fact that they had to bail the boat with their hands almost continually to keep afloat. That action stimulated the circulatk n and passed the time.

The lifeboat reached. Sumner at 4.20 p.m. It had effected a smart rescue, and deserved the applause with which it was received. Air Stilples,- of the Scarborough tea rooms, provided the mow with hot tea. Both Vincent and Cob den expressed great gratitude for their rescue.