PARTY MAROONED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23231, 28 December 1938, Page 8

PARTY MAROONED

NIGHT ON TIRI TIRI LAUNCH STRIKES ROCK ' ■ ... .j' SINKING I'll AFT BEACHED THE CREW'S DIFFICULTIES With the propeller and rudder of the speed launch Miss Sandra damaged f J through striking a submerged rock over half a mile from the island, a party of five men on board the boat r were marooned on Tiri Tiri Island on Monday night. The sinking launch was worked to shallow water, from where its occupants were able to scramble ashore without difficulty. The party consisted of the owner of the launch, Mr. C. Beaver, of Rpmuera, his son, Mr. T. Beaver, Mr. H. L. Barrack, and Mr. J. Bickerstaff, of i - Auckland, and Mr. S. E. Bush, of - ' Kotowaro. Weather Delays Return • The Miss Sandra left Manly in the morning for a day's fishing off Tiri Tiri, but, when an attempt was made to return in the afternoon, the wind proved too strong, and the launch put back to shelter under the lee of the 'island until the weather abated. Conditions improved in the evening and a further endeavour was made to reach Manly. However, when about 1000 yds. out from Tiri Tiri, the boat struck a submerged rock, which stove , in a plank in the stern and damaged the propeller and rudder. With the greatest difficulty, the launch was paddled toward the beach, and sank just as the shore was reached. Radio Message to Auckland After hauling the launch ashore, two of the party, Mr. Beaver, senior, and Mr. Bush walked around the coast to the lighthouse, from where a radio message was despatched to the Mount Victoria signal station. Officials in Auckland then communicated with Mr. „ R. H. Sliakespear, of Whingaparaoa. As it was too late for Mr. Shakespear to send assistance, Messrs. Beaver and Bush spent the night at the lighthouse, while the other three men stayed with the launch. The two men at the lighthouse were picked up by Mr. Shakespear in his auxiliary yacht yesterday moraine, before proceeding to round the island, where it was found that the other three members of the party had temporarily repaired the launch. It was net extensively damaged, and no difficulties were experienced in towing it to Manly.

SWAMPED BY WAVE CRAFT DRIFTS ASHOBE LUCKY ESCAPE OF PARTY HAZARDS ON RIVER BAR [by telegraph—own correspondent] • - - SVHA K ATANE, Tuesday - A party of young men and women had a fortunate escape from drowning whan the engine of their-launch was put out of commission by a ware as it was crossing the Whakatane River bar. The launch was swept on to. the rocks, but luckily it balanced on aa even keel and finally drifted ashore under- the ciiffs. . The owners of the boat, Messrs. Jim and Jack Young, with another young man and three young women, were leaving the river mouth when the mishap occurred. There was a fairly sea and a wave struck the launch, threw open the forward , hatch and flooded the engine. The launch then drifted helplessly in the outgoing tide. The plight of the party was seen by Mr. H. Wheelock, who telephoned the police and another resident, Mr. C. Wright. Constable H. Hedley and Mr. Wright travelled down to the heads by road- but were unable to give any assistance as the life-saving ana rocket gear was not available. .Upon reaching the shore none of the occupants appeared any the worse for their adventure, although the launch was considerably damaged.