LAUNCH PARTY'S PERIL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20521, 24 March 1930, Page 8

LAUNCH PARTY'S PERIL.

ADRIFT IN HEAVY SEAS.' ORDEAL IN DARKNESS. 1 DISTRESS SIGNALS NOT SEEN,, TIMELY RESCUE BY STEAMER. [BY TELEGHAPH.—OWN COHB.ESPONDENT.] WELLINGTON, Sunday. To be drifting in darkness in a dis. abled 28-foot launch off Wellington Head,! at the mercy of heavy seas and to havu their signals of distress unnoticed for several hours by passing craft, was tha » experience of ten members of a fishing" party this evening. They were eventually rescued by the Union Company's steamer Waipiata.'

The launch, carrying the owner, Mr. A. Rogers, of Miramar, his son and daughter-in-law and their two small daughters, as well as five friends, had been cruising off Pencarrow Point. When about five o'clock the party decided to return to Wellington it was found that the clutch key had broken and the engine could not be started. The sail, which the launch carried, also proved useless. The sea had become rough and the waves dashed over/the boat which dragged " its anchors and began to drift to sea. Darkness was rapidly descending and the party became alarmed. A white sheet was flown at the mast head, but this signal was not read by those on passing launches as one of distress. Sacks were then soaked in petrol and two were burned without success. Jusit as the third flare was lit the Waipiata, which was bound from Auckland to Wellington, passed in the distance. The hopes of fhe party had begun to sink, but they were overjoyed when the steamer turned and approached the launch.

Owing to the heavy sea it was impossible to transfer the soaked and fatigued people to the steamer and the launch wag safely {owed into Wellington. None of the party was much the worse for the trying experience.