LAUNCH WRECKED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22318, 16 January 1936, Page 8

LAUNCH WRECKED

LOST NEAR THAMES SUBMERGED ROCK STRUCK OCCUPANTS REACH SHORE ONLY THE ENGINE SAVED [by telegraph—OWN correspondent} THAMES, Wednesday A 36ft. seine fishing launch owned by Mr. A. Garrett, of Thames, and leased to Mr. G. McMillan, was wrecked yesterday close to the Kereta post office, about 23 miles north of Thames, in the Firth of Thames. Only the engine was salved. The boat contained Mr. McMillan, his brother, Mr. L. McMillan, his sister, Mrs. Blanchard, his son, Mr. A. McMillan, and his daughter, Mrs. Pearson, and her two young children. Another fisherman, Mr. C. Barker, was also 011 board.

There was a heavy swell along the coast and, as this was a fleeting the women, it was decided to keep close inshore. When near Kereta a submerged rock was struck, part of a long reef which runs out at this spot. It was seen that a large hole was torn in the hull and that the pump could not cope with the water. The dinghy was launched and the women and children were hurriedly rowed ashore, getting very wet in the process. The dinghy went back for the rest of the men and the launch foundered and sank, just as it was reached, in 40ft. of water. The launch was washed ashore to-day a complete wreck, the cabin top having been destroyed and the boat split from end to end. At low tide the engine was recovered.

The whole of Mr. McMillan's gear with the seine net was lost. Ihe value of this was about £SO, while the launch was valued at £250. There was no insurance.

Residents helped the wrecked party with dry clothes and they were returned to their homes near Thames.