MANY CAPSIZES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22640, 30 January 1937, Page 10

MANY CAPSIZES

REGATTA MISHAPS SQUALLS IN HARBOUR RESCUE BOATS KEI'T BUSY YACHT DRIVEN ON ROCKS Stormy conditions on the harbour caused by a squally south-easterly wind played havoc with pleasure craft that defied the torrential rain of the early morning to take part in the Anniversary Day Regatta yesterday. With the wind whipping up a difficult sea, especially in the Rangitoto Channel, nearly a score of boats capsized, cases of dismasting were frequent, and several craft suffered extensive damage to sails.

There was a steady breeze, but an almost flat sea when the programme was commenced at 10 o'clock in the morning, but it freshened toward noon and the chapter of incidents which kept rescue launches and yachts busy throughout the afternoon was sot in train. Scpialls developed with little warning and caught crews unprepared for the sudden changes. Lucky Escape From Drowning When she was standing in close to Motuihi, the, E class yacht Wakanui, owned by Mr. H. Kidd, of the Devonport Yacht Club, was driven on to the rocks. The crew was forced to abandon the vessel and returned to Auckland in an excursion boat. A member of the crow of another boat who saw the wrecked craft later reported that the hull appeared to be fairly badly holed. A lucky escape from drowning was experienced by a member of the crew of the V class yacht Decima. W hen the tiller of the boat carried away he overbalanced and fell into the sea. His companions were powerless to assist him and the craft drifted on helplessly while ho struggled in the heavy sea that was running. The desperate signals of the Decima's crew were noticed by Mr. J. Frankham of the M class yacht Manaia, and, after a search extending over some minutes he picked up the man. Although suffering severely from exposure, he speedily recovered. Naval Pinnace to Rescue The Y class boat Cupid capsized off the Sandspit at Devon port and the crew was rescued by a naval pinnace from H.M.S. Philomel after being in the water for some minutes. It was found impossible to take the craft in tow and it drifted ashore off North Head, where it was salvaged by Devonport yachtsmen, the sails being badly torn A pinnace from the Philomel also went to the assistance of two L class boats which overturned in the harbour shortly after 1 p.m. One was taken in tow and beached at Orakei, but endeavours to hold the other with a line were in vain and, breaking away, it eventually grounded at North Head, where the equipment was salvaged by residents. The Philomel received a report later in the afternoon that the 22ft. yacht Melita was in danger in the vicinity of North Head. At the time no boat was available, but the message was sent on to H.M.S. Dunedin, which despatched assistance. In the meantime, however, the yacht was assisted by a passing launch. Boat Reported Missing The lift, yacht Manurewa capsized in Shoal Bay during the afternoon and, although the crew was ! rescued, efforts to tow the craft j ashore were fruitless and it was re- | ported missing last night. The Z class I boat Te Hoa turned over when off j Resolution Buoy and was towed to North Head by the launch Lady ! Cynthia. The same launch brought the ! 14ft. Water Beetle to Devonport after it had capsized off the sandspit. j The Drone, a boat of the V class, j overturned in Rangitoto Channel and was beached at Cheltenham. A similar i mishap occurred to the Z class 'lamaki i when near Northcote, the craft being later towed ashore. Three competitors , in the Silver Fern class, Endeavour,

Flying Cloud and Candy Kid, were overturned during their race, while the Una cajwized shortly before starting in the event for IS class boats. The A class yacht Thelma carried away her mainsail when she was involved in a collision with the Tawera at the Dudcr Spit buoy, and the C'elox, of class H, was dismasted and taken in tow by a passing launch. A similar mishap was suffered by the new C class keel yacht Minerva and the / class Tanya, but both were towed to port.