DANGEROUS PLIGHT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19799, 21 November 1927, Page 8

DANGEROUS PLIGHT.

CAPSIZE OF SMALL YACHT. EXPERIENCE OF THREE BOYS. EXHAUSTED WHEN RESCUED. The chance appearance of a launch conveying Auckland Grammar School girls averted what probably would have been a harbour tragedy early on Saturday evening. The two sons of Mr. J. W. Andrews, of Kohimarama, accompanied by a boy friend, were returning from Auckland in a 14ft. Y class yacht, when the boat was struck by > severe squall when off Orakei Wharf. The crew was taken completely by surprise, and the yacht literally nose dived and overturned. The water was very choppy and the boys had the greatest difficulty in securing a safe hold on their upturned craft. Their plight was made more serious owing to the fact that they had taken part in strenuous 'racing earlier in the afternoon, and were already very tired. Fortunately, the distressed were noticed by Mr. N. Compton,' who was bringing th« launch Te Awa back from Beachlands to the city. The launch was then about a mile and a-half away fiom the yacht, and all speed was made to the scene. By this time the boys had been nearly half an hour in the water and were thoroughly exhausted. The rescue work was full of difficulty because Mr. Compton was the only man on the launch, and he was unable to take any risks with the large number of girls aboard. By working his craft around to the lee side of the yacht he was able to drag one of the boys aboard. He was unable to get the other two in this manoeuvre, however, because the yacht was drifting rapidly with the wind flsid the tide. He then approached the yacht on the windward side, but drifted too close and the screw became entangled in the sail and mass of rigging. However, he was> able to get the other two. boys aboard. All were thoroughly exhausted and could not have clung to their craft many minutes longer. Mr. Compton's trouble then began. His own launch was helpless and he had to signal the shore. A man came off in a dinghy and was told of the position. He went ashore and communicated with the Auckland broadcasting station, IYA, asking the authorities to broadcast the plight of the launch in the hope that Mr. J W. Andrews, who was away cruising in his launch for the week-end, would pick up the message with the receiving set he had aboard, and come to the rescue. In the meantime, the waterfront police were communicated with, and immediately despatched a fast launch to the scene. The girls were transhipped and brought back to Auckland. Mr. Compton's launch was towed to Kohimarama, and when the tide went out he was able to clear thescrew of the sail and rigging and brin£ the craft back to Auckland under its own power. Jfc was six o'clock when the launch sighted the yacht, and the girls were not landed back in the city until after 10. Theey were without food and the continual tossing of the launch made many of them ill. Ih~addition, they had set off for the day in summer garb, and the cold night air made their plight worse. It was subsequently learned that Mr. Andrews did not pick up the wireless message.