LAUNCH RUNS AGROUND.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19791, 17 May 1926, Page 3

LAUNCH RUNS AGROUND.

TILED ON TRAINING WALL. PASSENGERS’ DESPERATE PLIGHT. AN ALL-NIGHT VIGIL. Through mistaking the harbour channel lights, the owner of the fishing launch Kia Ora had the misfortune to run the boat on the training wall opposite Black Jack’s Point when coming to Dunedin from Port Chalmers on Friday evening. The launch carried five persons—three men and two women —and they spent a miserable night. .After striking the wall the launch canted over and partly filled. The occupants were compelled to perch on the gunwale ol the stranded boat, and remained there, numbed and drenched with rain, from 7 p.m. until rescued at 7.30 a.m. on Saturday. The Kia Ora, in charge of Mr W. Simpson, left Port Chalmers about 6.30 p.m. on Friday. The weather was fine, but a cold wind was blowing from the south. When passing Black Jack’s Point Mr Simpson was confused over the channel guiding lights, and geared the engine to slow, proceeding for a time at a speed of about two knots. He misjudged the light to the east of the training wall, however, for the light showing the edge of the channel. Apparently he overlooked the flashing light beyond the wall by which vessels working the Victoria Channel take their course for the basin. Before the helmsman could avert the disaster the Kia Ora ran on to the wall with a grating sound. She lay over on her bilge, and then slipped off into the channel. Lying on her beam ends, the launch began to fill with water. She lay on her side, and for hours it was thought that the women would be safe if they kept to one side of the cabin. Rain began to fall later, and the cold wind increased in force as the night advanced. There was no help in sight, and as the launch was well equipped with life-saving gear this was placed in readiness for emergencies. Mr Simpson and Mr J. Anderson, one of the other occupants, dropped over the side four times during the night, and working strenuously in he ice-cold water, attempted to right the launch, but their efforts were not successful. At 2 a.m. the water in the cabin had gained to such an extent that the two ladies, who showed remarkable fortitude, were forced to leave their shelter and join the men on the gunwale of the launch, the party being forced to remain there, although at times it was under water. fi.io night was bitteny cold, and the danger of losing their holds and slipping over the side added to the fears of the party. Throu-rh the hours of darkness, wet and miserable, the five remained huddl :d together precariously seated on the prow of the partly submerged boat. After dawn several vehicles passed on the Lower Peninsula road, but the signals made by the stranded party did not attract the attention of the drivers. At about ..30 a.m., Mr W. Mathieson, the driver of a bus which wns bound for the citv, noticed a frantic waving from the party on what he thought was a raft. He immediately proceeded to the powder hulk, moored lose inshor d Waverley, and Mr R. Rackley. of Company’s Bay, notified Mr A. E. West of the plight of the stranded people. The launch Queen of Beauty was moored alongside the powder hulk, and within a short time Mr West, with a volunteer crew, headed the launch across the harbour at full speed. The navigator of the Queen of Beauty had ;to exercise his skill when drawing near the derelict launch. A row-boat was lowered from the rescuing launch, and Mr Racklev took off the party. The Queen of Beauty then proceeded to the pontoon at the Harbour Board offices, and the members of the party then returned to Port Chalmers. „ Mr Simpson stated afterwards that all the occupants of the Kia Ora had survived their unenviable experience remarkably well. They were greatly indebted to Messrs West, Rackley, and A. Russell for coming to the rescue so quickly after the signals of distress had been observed. „ , _ . , The Kia Ora was refloated on Saturday afternoon and towed to a place of safety. The boat, which has suffered some damage, is valued at £OOO, and is not insured.