FISHERMAN’S EXPERIENCE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18999, 23 October 1923, Page 11

FISHERMAN’S EXPERIENCE.

motor boat ablaze. a narrow escape. ~ It seldom happens in New Zealand tfiafi a coastal sea fisherman finds himself faced with that greatest of all dangers, fire, but' such was (he experience of Mr Charles Sproule, of Moeraki, a few days ago. H« had been out in his boat (the Seabreeze)!' all night, fishing, and while retumifigf home in the early hours of the morning found his vessel to be ablaze, and He "vfaS almost immediately hurled out of the cabini) by a violent explosion. The boat was soda burning fiercely from end to end, and the boatman, after a hard fight with theflames, succeeded in hoisting the sail in the hope that the wind would carry *he vessel towards the shore. The wind was unfavour-' able, however, and the flames continually licked Mr Rnroule's face and arms, but; in spite of this, he managed to reach thd rocks under the Moeraki lighthouse, bufi barely in time, for no sooner had. ‘‘hfr touched land than the' vessel turned over and sank. ■ " The occupant was completely exhausted 1 when the Hglitkeener and his staff came to his aid. Ho was later taken to Palmerston for medical treatment. It is sunposed (hat the vessel’s petrol tank had begun to leak, and the petrol; running into the body of the boat, had icmited from a back-fire from the engine. The boat and her contents are a total loss*