FISHING CREW'S ORDEAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19743, 16 September 1927, Page 12

FISHING CREW'S ORDEAL

LONG DRIFT DOWN COAST. FOOD AND WATER SHORTAGE. RETURN MADE AFTER SIX DAYS. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT. ] PALMERSTON NORTH. Thursday A trying experience befel the crew of a 50ft. fishing launch which drifted away to sea after setting out from Wanganui in the morning of Wednesday last week. The crew comprised Messrs. Bowman, the owner, T. Potaka, Wiri Heremaia, T W. Heremaia and H. Hogg, all of Wanganui. Scarcely had the fishing ground been reached when engine trouble was expen enced and the vessel began to drift down the coast with the current. As it had been expected to arrive back in port that night the food and water supplies caned by the little vessel were scant, and had to be rationed. For three days and niguts the men worked at the engines, but without avail. Not until Saturday night were they able to distinguish the light on Kapiti Island. On Sunday they were able to reach shore, in a half-starved condition. They were taken care of by the Government caretaker while the engines received attention. On Monday morning a start was made on the return to Wanganui, but once again bad luck dogged the boat. When some miles from Kapiti Island the engines failed again. After some difficulty a sail was rigged and at 10 a.m. on Tuesday the vessel reached the Manawatu River and tied up at the jetty. Mr. Potaka said the ordeal of the drift down from Wanganui to Kapiti Island was vary trying. When the island was reached the party was in a state of collapse. The food and water had been very scarce and they were famished. The worst feature of all was the fact that they ran short of tobacco. The engines will be completely overhauled at Foxton by an expert before the last stage of the journey back to Wanganui is completed.