LAUNCH RUNS ASHORE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19391, 28 July 1926, Page 13

LAUNCH RUNS ASHORE.

OFF COURSE IN DARK, WHITE ISLAND CRAFT'S MISHAP, [BY telegraph.—own correspondent.] TAURANGA, Tuesday, The strong northerly gale which prevailed on Sunday and Monday worked up a terrifio sea in the Bay of Plenty, A party on board the White Island Agricul-. tural and Chemical Company's launch Whakari left White'lsland at noon yes? terday and had a very unpleasant experit ence, Those on board included Mr, B, H. Baldwin (representing the Canadian irn terests in the company), Major A. A, Mercer (director of the company), Mr. JR. Eenshaw (Tauranga) and four others. When the launch left White Island she headed for Motiti Island. There was a strong northerly breeze which within an hour of starting developed into a heavy gale, accompanied by exceptionally high seas and blinding rainstorms. By five o'clock the visibility was so bad that it was impossible to see more than 50 yards ahead. Owing to the blackness of the night those on board were unable to pick up Motiti Island or any other landmarks. ' After steaming for eight hours on the direct course for Tauranga it was assumed that the launch was abreast of Motiti and it was decided to head in toward Mount Maunganui. Apparently, however, the launch had been carried very much out of her course by the storm. At midnight land was sighted on the port quarter and before the course could be altered to the north-west the launch grounded easily on a sandy beach in a small bay.

Mr. Baldwin and Major Mercer walked fifteen miles along the beach to Mount Maunganui and reached there at 7.30 this morning, coming on to Tauranga later. A vessel left Tauranga this morning for the scene to render help to the Whakari and the other members of the party who are with the "vessel. It is believed that the Whakari has suffered little or no damage.