Three Men In a Launch

Northland Age, Volume 28, Issue 27, 21 March 1928, Page 6

Three Men In a Launch

At The Mercy of The Sea. An Adventurous Journey, The three men who spent two anxious.days and nights drifting out to sea in the crippled launch Ika, and who were picked up by the Niagara on her last voyage iroin Auckland to bydney, returned from Sydney by the Man - nganui last week. They were Messrs John Buchan, Norman Blackburn and Cyril Ledger, and they are none the worse for their experience.

All three praised the manner in which Captain Hill and his oiticers looked after" them when j they were taken aboard. “Above all we wish to express our deepest gratitude,” commented Mr Blackburn, “therescue itself, carried out in a heavy sea, war; a splendid piece of work.” Mr Blackburn said they were deeply grateful, also, for the kindly interest of D .me Nellie M.Tba, who v. as a passenger by tK vessel. He said as soon as they were brought on board the Niagara, Dame Nellie ordered dry clothes for them all. Later she sang several songs for their benefit and a collection taken up on their behalf proved very helpful.

“Although the Ika was subsequently recovered, we were in very great danger at the time,’’ added •Mr Blackburn. “In the two days we must have drifted about 60 miles and our plight seemed hopeless. The only thing we could have done under the circumstances ' was to signal the Niagara.”

The action of the men were endorsed by Captain Hill, who stated when they were aboard that he recognised the danger of their position. His only regret was that he was unable to save the launch for them. Tne men were carried to Sydrtgy-free but paid their passages back to Auckland.