WRECK STORY DISCOUNTED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20171, 4 February 1929, Page 11

WRECK STORY DISCOUNTED.

DOUBTLESS BAY INCIDENT.

WHALE MISTAKEN FOR LAUNCH. A report that a launch had been seen to disappear in Doubtless Bay, a few miles from Mangonui on Friday morning, is discounted by residents in the district, following a thorough search of the bay and receipt of news that all launches in the locality had been accounted for. A press association menage on Saturday said the postmaster at Whatuwhiwhi, near Mangonui, reported that while he was on the look-out for a certain boat at 12.30 p.m., he saw what appeared to be a black-coloured launch about 20ft. to 25ft. in length, approaching bow-on, momentarily turn broadside-on and disappear. The position was midway between Mangonui and Whatuwhiwhi on the north side of the Fairway reef. The object was not clearly discernible and no mast or sails were visible, but he watched it for u quarter-of-an-hour before it disappeared, and a vigil was maintained for a considerable time afterwards.

The Herald's correspondent advised on Saturday evening that the local police, with assistance from residents, had made a search of the bay and had failed to find any trace of the supposed craft. A few boards were seen, but there was nothing to indicate that they were part of a launch. It was believed they were scrap timber thrown overboard from some vessel. Inquiries had been made at Mangonui all round the district, and all small craft had been accounted for. The belief was now held that what was seen was a whale or some large fish.