MISTAKEN FLASHES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22320, 18 January 1936, Page 15

MISTAKEN FLASHES

NEW BRIGHTON ALARM VESSEL NOT IN DANGER CREW WORKING WITH TORCHES [BY TKLKOKAPH PRESS ASSOCIATION*] CHRISTCHURCH. Friday Because flashes from electric torches were mistaken last evening for distress signals ofl the pier, Now Brighton worked itself up to a great state of excitement. To-day comes an anticlimax. Jt started when Captain C. G. Carey, master of the scow Ngahau, solicitous for the welfare of his cargo of 500 sheep, sent members of his crew armed with torches to see that they were safe. Lively imaginations on the beach mistook the flashes of the torches for distress signals, although a distress rocket explodes at a height of 500 ft. An alarm was raised anil the motor-lifeboat Rescue IL. from Sumner was despatched. The fire brigade charged down to the beach and the firebell was exercised with surprising vigour, while in the meantime someone operated on the Surf Club's alarm bell The result was that Now Brighton's population was quickly concentrated in the vicinity of the pier, waiting for things to happen. While all this was going on the Ngahau was never in danger. She nosed her way along the coast, crossed the Waimakariri Bar, and safely berthed at Kaiapoi. Commenting upon the report that distress signals hail been given, Captain Carey said it was nonsense. As for Morse signals sent from the shore, they were never seen on the ship. On board they had had other business to see to. The Ngahau, he said, left Kaiapoi at 10 o'clock yesterday morning and arrived at Little Pigeon Bay at 12..'50 p.m. She loaded her cargo of sheep for the freezing works and sailed at 7.130 p.m. She struck a north-west gale about 9..'50 off New Brighton anil for a while could make no progress. Standing in close to the pier to avoid high seas, the vessel missed stays several times, which would account for the light being obscured from the shore at intervals. At 11 o'clock the wind moderated and good progress was made up the coast to the bar, which was crossed at one o'clock this morning.