MORE TORRENTIAL RAIN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20954, 18 August 1931, Page 9

MORE TORRENTIAL RAIN.

GALE .IN THE CHANNEL.

YACHTSMAN DROWNED.

COMPETITOR IN RACE.

enormous hailstones.

CHEAT DAMAGE TO CROPS.

By Telecraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Received August 17. 9.5 p.m.) / LONDON, August 17. Tbo widespread hailstorms and torrential yain continue. The gale precluded practice by pilots for the Schneider Cup race. Hailstones as large as golf balls pierced motor hoods, killed poultry and smashed windows in East Anglia. The storms did enormons damage to crops throughout the country. It was the 27th wet week-end in 1931. The crew of the yacht Maitenes 11., which was competing in the Fastnet Cup race from Cowes to Plymouth, abandoned the vessel after Colonel Hudson had been washed overboard and drowned. A steam trawler picked up the survivors. It is believed that the Dorade, which recently won a transatlantic yacht race, won, but many of the competitors are hove-to, waiting/a lull in the storm.

This was the seventh annual race for the Fastnet Cup. - The course is from Cowes round the Fastnet Rock, off County Cork, and back to Plymouth, 615 miles. Last year nine yachts, including Maitenes 11., started and five finished. The race was begun on August 12, and the winner, Jolio Brise, reached Plymouth on August 19. Much heavy weather was met. Mr. Kirkpatrick, of London, fell overboard from Maitenes when in the Channel and had 8 narrow escape from drowning. The race is held by the Ocean Racing Club.