WRECKAGE FROM LAUNCH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 21068, 30 December 1931, Page 8

WRECKAGE FROM LAUNCH.

MISHAP AT PORT WAIKATO. CREW SAFELY ON SHORE. The launch Hamona, portions of which were found washed up on the west coast at Maioro Beach last Sunday, was wrecked on the bar at Port "Waikato about a week previously when on a trip from Raglan to Merccr. The two mernof the crew got safely ashore, but t*he hull of the vessel was pounded to pieces by the surf and portions of the hull eventually drifted ashore on the beaches to tho north. The Ramona was a 26-foot launch, formerly well known on the Manu|cau. Harbour and was built by Messrs. Bailey and Lowe, of -Auckland, about 15 years ago. Three months ago she was sold to a resident of Raglan who used her for fishing parties. Two weeks ago sho was purchased by Mr. E. Shepherd, of Otahuhu, for use on the Waikato River at Merccr, and on December 21 she left Raglan for Mercer under her own power. The crew consisted of a Maori and a European youth in the. employ of Mr. Shepherd. After passing over tlie bar at Port Waikato, the launch grounded on a sandbank and as the tide was falling, tho occupants made, their way ashore after dropping the anchor. During the night, however, tlie launch was holed by pounding on I lie anchor and in the morning she was full of water and sand. An attempt. was made to tow her inshore, but she again sank and was eventually broken up by the breakers from the bar.