YACHTS IN A SQUALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21113, 22 February 1932, Page 10

YACHTS IN A SQUALL.

SERIES OF MISHAPS. DISMASTING OF WAIRIKI. The sudden change of the weather on Saturday caused a number of mishaps to boats taking part in the Devonport Yacht Club's regatta. In the early part of the afternoon there was an almost flat calm and many craft were not prepared for heavy weather. About 4.30 p.m. a breeze came from the west and the wind blew very hard. The C class keel yacht Wairiki carried away her mast a little above Devonport Whirf, while beating up the harbour in the race for the Duder Cup. She was picked up by Mr. A. Prosser's launch Maihe and towed to her moorings at Mechanics' Bay. The 26ft. mullet boat Omatere, when leading in the race for her class, broke the bridle on the gaff, which caused her mainsail to fall into the water. After some difficulty repairs were effected and the boat continued in the race under a reefed mainsail. The 7ft. Tauranga class boat Wish Wynne capsized near Devonport Wharf, her youthful occupants reaching the shore without assistance. In the same race the Weona broke her rudder and was driven ashore,, but was not damaged. Several boats also blew out their sails. Tht> yachts taking part in tho Richmond Cruising Club's cruise-in-company to Riverheac! also experienced trouble on Saturday. The 18-footer Sea Crest capsized nea<Riverhead. her crew being picked up by the 20-footer Matariki. The 14-foote'* We:idy also overturned up the river and was towed ashore by the launch Crusador. Returning from Kohimarama after taking part in the race, for the Nixon Cup. three crews from the rowing clubs on the Waitemata were swamped in tho afternoon squall. The boats were taken bv road to Orakei Bay and there launched. TROUBLE ON THE MANUKAU. TWO YACHTS CAPSIZE. Tivo small yachts capsized on the Manukau Harbour on Saturday evening owing to the boisterous westerly weather. The 16ft half-deck yacht Drone capsized dining a squall about 400' yards from the shoie. The crew of four men were rescued by a launch, which also towed the yacht to the beach. Another 16ft. yacht, the Almiro, capsized when about 100 yards from Onehunza Wharf; and a launch which attempted to take the capsized craft in tow was nearly stranded on the mudbgnk. The at tempi had to be abandoned. With the crevr of four men sitting on the bilge, the capsized boat drifted alongside the wharf, where the mon were rescued and the boat salvaged. The mast, which stuck fast in the mud, was broken. MULLET BOAT OVERTURNED. CREW PICKED UP IN WATER. The four occupants of a 16ft. mullet boal, Colleen, owned by Mr. G. Miller, of Heme Bay, were thrown into the water yesterday when their craft was capsized by a sudden squall off the Ponsonby Wharf. The mishap occurred about 6.15 p.m. Fortunately tho motor-yacht Adelaide, owned by Mr. C. 11. T. Palmer, chairman of tho Auckland Yacht and Motor Boat Association, was in the vicinity and went immediately to the rese.ie. After considerable difficulty, the boat was secured and towed into Sentinel .Beach. The boat will probably be refloat ed to-day.