THE YACHTING ACCIDENT.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXIX, Issue 10884, 29 September 1911, Page 6

THE YACHTING ACCIDENT.

To the Editor,

, Sir.—rl wag an interestedspecfcator •of to-day's yachting accident in which Mr W. Diroick's yacht- Trent ashoreon the shingle beach thegas works. I have listened to the yarns' of the local fishermen telling of the deeds of valor they have performed. ,in the way.. °f going out in storms to the aid of pleasure boats etc., but to-<Tay, to my astonishment a number ojf-them sat on the rocks on-the leeward side of: the mole and.calmly watched, a.fine .yacht in difficulties be blown ashore, while'on the other side-in- the.harbor were.many fine launches which their owners? maintain could proceed against any breeze, lying idle. Could not one or more of these have gone to the.,rescue'arid kept her clear of the ; breakers until-the crew' had reefed the sails and generally got the running gear in order again. I admired the, pluck of several individuals who ventured out in a launch after the storm-had . somewhat abated, and when tlie yacht was hard'arid fast on the shingle. I have myself had some experience of boating and I felt ashamed- at the lack of pluck shown by: the' local fishermen. Will not .someone form a lifeboat club to go to -the aid of small craft in difficulties, since the courage to go to their assistance does not seem to exist elsewhere. —I am, etc., . ANTI-BRAG.