THE GIRL PAT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22431, 29 May 1936, Page 11

THE GIRL PAT

ELUSIVE TRAWLER MATE LEFT AT DAKAR STORY OF ADVENTURE By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received May 28, 6.5 p.m.) LONDON, May 27 The Dakar correspondent of the Daily Mail states that the North Sea trawler Girl Pat is believed to be heading for Capetown. When she called at Dakar, West Africa, the master, Captain Osborne, went ashore and told the harbourmaster he wanted to restock the vessel with food and have the engines repaired. The authorities were discussing what action could be taken when suddenly the trawler slipped out to sea again, leaving behind the mate, Harry Stone, also some unpaid bills. In an interview Stone said: —"When we set out from Grimsby we did not go fishing as we were supposed to have done, but made straight for Dover. There we put the engineer ashore because lie was becoming restless. "The engines broke down soon after we left Calais. We managed to patch them iij), but again they broke down and we were forced to use sail. We called at Luges, Spain, where we> bought a sixpenny atlas by means of which we managed to reach Vigo. "Then we went to Corcubion, Spain, where we stayed 15 days and had a grand time. The maritime authorities lent us money. Wo slept all day and spent the nights in cafes. "Then we struck some uninhabited islands and stayed on one for three days mending the sails. After that we hugged the African coast to Cape Blanco where we renewed our provisions. However, these were all stolen, also part of the vessel's equipment while we were ashore.

"We tried to get more food at Port Etienne, but could not do so because we had no money. All we had on board before we called n't Dakar consisted of three Lotties of water, a little wine and a tin of milk for five men. "I am through with adventures and glad to be out of it." Stone is reported to have told the port officials at Dakar that the crew of the trawler intended to sell her and divide the money. Although the authorities at British and French West African ports have been requested to detain the North Sea trawler Girl Pat, she has sufficient fuel for 2000 miles. Quantities of provisions and water were obtained at Dakar, but not paid for. Nothing further may be heard of the craft for a month.