KETCH DRIVEN ASHORE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22145, 26 June 1935, Page 12

KETCH DRIVEN ASHORE

NINETY-MILE BEACH BATTLE AGAINST STORM CREW SCRAMBLE TO SAFETY [by telegraph—OWN correspondent] KAITAIA, Tuesday After being buffeted by Ittavy seas raised by a north-west wind, which at times attained hurricane force, the ketch Te Hangi, owned by Mr. S. Atkinson, of Remuera, was driven ashore at Ahipara at the southern end of the Ninety-Mile Beach at 9.30 this morning. The crew of two, Messrs, J. W. Wray, of Reinuera, and D. Wellington, of Home Bay, were able to scramble through the breakers to safety. The boat, intrained and leaking badly, is fast ashoro, Tho vessel was making her maiden voyage from Hokianga. Awaiting a favourable opportunity the crew crossed the Hokianga Bar at 2 o'clock on Sunday alternoon and made north in comparatively calm weather. On Monday the wind was from the north-east and the sea was not very rough, but in tho afternoon tho wind veered to tho west and blew with hurricane force, causing tlic sea to rise rapidly. Vessel Fails to Weather Cape At dusk tho Tg Hangi was within five miles of Cape Maria van Diemen, but could not get around. Mr. Wray decided to make to sea, but the wind was too strong to use enough sail and as the straining by the heavy seas had loosened tho vessel's timbers and tho boat was making water, ho decided to try for shelter at Ahipara. During the night tho boat came down the coast under bare polos with seas continuously breaking over her. Sho made water at the rate of about 300 gallons an hour. One man was kept at tho pumps continuously and efforts wore made to stop the leaks with shirts and other articles of clothing. This morning at about 8.30 o'clock tho Te Hangi was noticed by Mr. W. Masters just off the reef point at tho extremity of the beach. It was then seen that the men were trying to make for tho Ahipara Beach, and Mr. T.. S. Houston, who had boon warned by Mr. Masters, kept a watch on the vessel. He said at times the waves were sweeping 'lier decks. Coming into the bay she touched a reef of rocks twice and this further strained her. Heavy Anchors Fail

Thi3 crew dropped anchor outside the line of breakers, but little shelter was available from the westerly wind, and although two heavy anchors were put out rhey failed to hold. The boat came into the line of breakers broadside on, with the two men holding on to the rigging watching their opportunity. Both scrambled ashore and they were immediately taken to the Ahipara boarding house where they were given refrc shments. The Kaitaia police were informed of the accident and Constables Thornell and Buckley were soon at the scene and arranged for tho crew's effects to be brought ashore. A bullock team was secured and with their aid and the rising tide the Te Hangi was hauled up to the high water mark where sho now lies. The ketch carried 60 bags of sand as balkst. She is insured for £2OO. Tho crew will probably leave for Auckland by ;:ar either to-morrow or the next day.

IIfORMER OWNER DROWNED PURCHASER RENAMES VESSEL Tlie Te Hangi is 43ft. long, of 9ft. 6in. beam and Oft. 6in. draught. She was built a few months ago at Rawene by the late Mr. R. S. Banner, of Rawene, a retired naval architect, who intended to use the vessel for Pacific Islands cruising Mr. Banner was preparing the craft for service when, on January- 15 of this year, he fell overboard and was drowned. At that time the vessel was named the Neva. Mr. S. B. Atkinson, of Auckland, purchased the yacht, following Mr. Banner's death, and renamed her. He intended to make several alterations to the interior and to use the vessel at Auckland for pleasure purposes. Last week he accompanied Messrs. Wray and Wellington to Rawene, and the throe of them rigged the craft preparatory to the two last-named bringing her to Auckland. Mr. Atkinson said yesterday that the Te Hangi was built of heart kauri and double-skinned. All the sails were new. According to advice he had received all the gear and anchors were lost and the seams had opened up. He said this occasion was the first one on' which jshe had been outside the Hokianga Heads. The vessel was insured in the Public Mutual Office.

Messrs. Wray and Wellington aro well known in Auckland yachting circles. Mr. Wray is the builder and owner of the Ngataki, in which he took part in the last Tasnian race. On a subsequent Pacific Islands cruiso of the Ngataki Mr. Wellington was a member of the crew.