LAUNCH IN PERIL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20668, 13 September 1930, Page 11

LAUNCH IN PERIL.

ENGINE BREAKS DOWN.

CREW HUNGRY AND EXHAUSTED

The launch Felix, which had not been sighted since it left Port Hunter, New South Wales, on the morning of Sunday, August 31, for a short fishing excursion, was found by the pilot steamer Birubi ten miles off Newcastle Heads on the following Tuesday. The crew of three, Messrs. Knight, Cook and Carr, were safe on board, though they had had a perilous and exhausting experience. From 2 o'clock on Sunday afternoon, when the engine broke down, the launch had been drifting up and down the coast, and though it eventually proved possible to use a boat-hook as emergency mast, and rig a jury sail from canvas and clothing only slow progress could be made toward Newcastle.

Attempts to restart the engine were unsuccessful, and though a number of vessels passed the launch efforts to attract their attention by waving shirts during the day and improvising flares from kerosene-soaked bagging at night proved fruitless.

By Monday morning the Felix had drifted its way to Norah Head, and during the day people could bo plainly scon on the shore, but- their attention could not be attracted by signals from the launch When a wind rose from the south-east that evening, (ho launch was blown up the coast past Newcastle, and then out to sea, where it again began its drift.

Seas during both nights were heavy and waves occasionally broke over the Felix, not only drenching the men, but also forcing them to regular -work at the pumps—work further necessitated by the fact that the launch had sprung a leak and water was continually being made. The small stocks of food and water in the boat had to be rigidly rationed and only a small piece of bread and very littie water remained when the Birubi came into sight. Work, wettings and lack of sufficient food had by that time thoroughly oxhnusted the men. The curious thing was that the launch was never quite out of sight of the top of the hill at Newcastle.