RAKANUI’S COASTAL CRUISE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19800, 27 May 1926, Page 7

RAKANUI’S COASTAL CRUISE.

THE HOMEWARD VOYAGE. An interesting account of the homeward voyage of the large pleasure launch Rakanui has been received by • Rudder" from Captain VV. K. Patterson, the owner ot the boat. It will be remembered that the Rakanui arrived at Dunedin on the afternoon of April 17 from VVhangarei, Ten days were spent in Dunedin, and on April 27 the voyagers commenced their journey homewards. The Rakanui left the landing at the Birch street wharf at 11.20 a.m and arrived at Timaru at daybreak the next morning. The launch put to sea from Timaru at 3 a.m. on April 20, Mr Patterson’s narrative states;—"From Timaru to akaroa a smooth passage was experienced and the launch dropped anchor at the Banka Peninsula port at 2 p.m. the same day "A stay was made at Akaroa until May 1, when the Rakanui put to sea at 10 a.m. in a north-east wind and a heavy fall of ram Eight hours out, however, the boat ran into hne weather and the sea was smooth until 3 a.m. the following day, when it blew hall a gale from the north-west. The launcn encountered a heavy sea across Cook Strait, passing Capa Palliser at 5 p.m. on May 2. The wind shifted to light northerly and it was ahead, till nearing Castle Point, when it shifted to the north-west at 2 a.m., and blew a gale with heavy rain. At daylight on May 3 the wind shifted more to the westward. "From Cape Turnagain to Cope Kidnappers it blew a heavy westerly gale, and water was going all over the Rakanui, often a foot of water being on the lee deck. All tilings come to an end, however, and the boat dropped anchor off Rapier at 7 a.m., having made a non-stop run from Akaroa of 350 miles. “We left Napier at 5 p.m. on May 6, and found a big southerly swell outside. We had a fair run to the East Cape, then en countered a strong north-west wind at 4 p.m. on May 7. We arrived oft Hick’s Bay at 7 p.m., and as the weather was bad we decided to stop. On May 8 and 9it blew a hurricane from the west. On May 10 the wind dropped about 8 a.m., and we went back towards the East Cape to have a look at the wrecked steamer Port Elliott. She looked as if she was at anchor; the masts and funnel were all standing and her deck was well above water, "At 5 p.m. we left for Tauranga and at 9 p.m the wind freshened up from the west. There was a heavy sea running and the launch was jumping half out of the water. At 4 a.m, we were right alongside White island, and saw steam rising. W’e in tended to stay and have a look at the island, but the weather was so dirte we 1 came right on We anchored under Plate Island for about three hours. Tauranga was reached about 4 p.m . , „ , ~ "The next day the Rakanui left for Mercury Island and, airiving in • the evening, stayed there for the night From here the launch went on to Cuvier Is.and, and a visit was paid to the lighthouse. The keepers were very glad to see the party, as a boat had not called there for over a month. The Rakanui left the same day for the Great Barrier, proceeding to the scene of the wreck of the Wiltshire. There was not, however, a vestige of the ill-fated steamer, and the launch went on to Tryphena, arriving there at 6 p.m. The party stayed in the bay overnight and on Saturday morning went across to the Little Barrier. Fishing was indulged in at this island. At 2 p.m on Saturday, May 15. the Ranarmi entered on the final stage of her notable cruise. Her nose was turned for home, and at 6.30 P.m. the vessel was within the the familiar Whangarci Heads. The launch remained in the harbour for the night, and went up to Whangarei at 11 a.m. on Sunday, May 16, right up to scheduled time, and completing a voyage of over 2030 miles. "I wish to again express the thanks of the Rakanui’s party (nr courtesy shown at every port we visited. People were good to us all the way round the trip. Dunedin people were especial cordial in their expressions of goodwill. Never before had a pleasure craft attracted so much attention there as the graceful motor launch. The Rakanui behaved splendidly all the way, an d proved hersef a thorough sea craft.'