ADVENTUROUS VOYAGES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20762, 3 January 1931, Page 8

ADVENTUROUS VOYAGES.

WELLINGTON TO CHATHAMS. EXPERIENCE IN HEAVY SEA. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] WELLINGTON. Friday. The Wellington yacht Windward, which left Wellington on Christmas morning and arrived at the Chatham Islands at 3.30 p.m. yesterday, w T as becalmed one day off Cape Palliser and one and a-half days in mid-ocean, according to further information received by wireless. On Tuesday night the yacht was hoveto in a southerly gale for 12 hours, and on Wednesday the heavy seas carried away the main sheet and topping lifts, freeing the main boom, which broke loose and swept a man overboard. He was promptly rescued, however, and the boat was again hove-to, this time for three hours, while repairs were effected. All on board are well and happy. ORDEAL OF LAUNCH PARTY. ADRIFT IN COOK STRAIT. An unenviable experience befel four Wellington residents who set out on Christmas Day to tour the Marlborough Sounds in the launch Onapua. They were Mr. and Mrs. J. Epsom, Mr. R. Rawle and Mr. J. Walloy. Soon after clearing the Terawhiti "rip" the launch's engine failed. Sails were hoisted, and a course set for tho southern end of Queen Charlotte Sound. As night came on the wind dropped, and the party spent Christmas night waiting for an opportunity to enter Tory Channel. A strong tide on Boxing Day caused them to run down the coast and finally the anchor was dropped at the mouth of the Awatere River. For two nights and a day the launch rode tho heavy seas, no reply being made to flares sent up. Then the plight of the party was seen and after a hazardous row in a dinghy to the shore, where aid was secured, a launch went out frbm Blenheim and towed the helpless craft to port, which was reached on Sunday night. RESCUED FROM DRIFTING. YOUNG WOMEN IN DINGHY. [BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.] WHANGAREI, Friday. The story of how two young women were providentially picked up when in a state of exhaustion and saved from drifting to sea in an open boat is told by launchmen from tho Whangarei Heads. Tho launch Alwyn rounded a point and came upon a small dinghy containing two young women, evidently in distress. They had been rowing for some time against the tide and wind without gaining distance. Just as one of tho men aboard the launch inquired whether they would like to bo towed, one of their oars broke. When tho young women were taken aboard tho launch they collapsed.