STORMY VOYAGE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22987, 15 March 1938, Page 10

STORMY VOYAGE

AUCKLAND YACHT ARRIVAL IN WELLINGTON ANCHORS - DRAGGED IN GALE [by telegraph—own* correspondent! WELLINGTON. Monday After battling through heavy seas and high winds, the 35ft auxiliary ketch Makora arrived in Wellington this morning, eleven days out from Auckland. Much of the way the vessel met severe weather and finally on Sunday night, when sheltering in Palliser Bay, narrowly escaped wreck through dragging the anchors. The Makora was recently purchased in Auckland by Mr. L. V Martin, of Wellington, who had with hiin as crew Mr. J. W. Wray, of Auckland, and Mr. George Roberts, of Wellington

Leaving Auckland a week ago last Wednesday the Makora made fair progress under power and sail across the Bay of Plenty and down the East Coast toward Poverty Bay. Off Gisborne, however, the Makora ran into a gale from the south and after sheltering under the lee of Young Nick's Head, put into Gisbortie boat harbour. Gale at Oastljepoint The Makora left Gisborne on the Monday and called at Napier the following day. She sailed for Wellington early on Thursday afternoon, and made a fair passage as far as Castlepoint, where she arrived early on Friday, the crew intending to stop for an hour in the safe anchorage in the lee of the point; but within 30 minutes of their arrival a strong southerly gale blew up and they had to remain at anchor until Saturday night. As it Mas then fine enough they set out for Wellington, and at daylight were about 12 miles off Cape Palliser. On rounding the cape the yacht ran into a stiff head wind. Progress was slow, a big sea was getting up in Cook Strait, and the wind was rising steadily; so it was decided to shelter in Palliser Bay Close to the Breakers "But we found very little shelter there," said Mr. Martin. "The wind ripped down off the high hills in tremendous gusts, and although we had two good anchors out—our 501b fisherman's and a 401b kedge—both were broken out of the ground together. After a wild night we found ourselves within 50 yards of the breakers at dawn."

The wind eased, however, and they started the engines and set a course for Wellington, which they reached in comparative calm.