LAUNCH IN PERIL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22981, 8 March 1938, Page 10

LAUNCH IN PERIL

DISABLED IN GALE ANCHORED ON LEE SHORE FISHING PARTY'S PLIGHT HARBOUR TUG RESCUES CREW [bt telegraph—OWN correspondent] CHRISTCHURCH, Monday With only a light anchor and line holding their disabled launch from being driven on to the rocks, four men spent several anxious hours during the height of a gale at Lyttelton early yesterday morning. They were* .eventually rescued by the tug Lyttelton. The party consisted of Messrs. J. W. Salt, H. J. Davies, Jamos Senior, and James Taylor. They left Lyttelton about 8 o'clock on Saturday with the intention of fishing down the harbour all night, and anchored about 100 yards oil shore in Gollan's Bay. About 11.15 p.m. a southerly gale arose with remarkable suddenness. Within a few minutes a heavy sea was running. The men decided to make for port, but the engine would not start and their only recourse was to try to ride out the gale. In the early hours of the morning the wind, which was accompanied by frequent rain showers, increased, and the party commenced to signal for assistance by waving a small lamp. It was about 3 a.m. when the signals r were seen by a motorist on the Evan's Pass road, who drove into Lyttelton and informed the police. The harbourmaster, Captain J. Plowman, ordered the tug to be sent out. The tug whistle sounded at 4 a.m., and half an hour later the tug left, arriving alongside the launch about 4.50. . As the gale was still at its height it was decided not to attempt to tow the launch, as she probably would have towed under. Although the disabled craft was close the tug managed to edge in and take the men. aboard. The launch was left at anchor, and rode out the gale unharmed.