A SEVEN MONTHS' CRUISE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20918, 7 January 1930, Page 7

A SEVEN MONTHS' CRUISE.

SCHOONER YACHT VALKYRIEi ] HEAVY STORMS ENCOUNTERED. (Special to Daily Times.) AUCKLAND, January 6. After an absence of nearly seve months, the schooner yacht Valkyrie returned to Auckland from Fiji to-daj. The vessel is owned by Captain E. GiHing, who set out with a party on Miy 20 for a cruise in the Pacific', reachilg Suva after a stormy and protracted voW age. The passengers, including severaT women, left the yacht at Suva and returned to Auckland by steamer. At Suva, Captain Gilling found it necessary to resheath the hull of the Valkyrie with copper. It was proposed to arrange a cruise among the Pacific Islands, but ‘eventually after five and a-half months Captain Gilling decided to return to New Zealand. Again storms dogged the yacht's course. Having engaged two Fijian boys, Captain Gilling left Suva on Saturday, November 30. He had waited three days for a hurricane to pass, but by 4 o’clock the next afternoon they were battling in the teeth of another gale. The steamer Tregartha, passed the yacht before it was clear of - the reefs and reported at Suva that the Valkyrie was “in the thick of it.” When the yacht did not return before dark it was given up for lost, but it put back during the night, and early on Monday morning was once more safe in harbour. Two more boys were secured, and after another wait the Valkyrie seiled again on December 5 with a fair wind which lasted four days. Then the hurricane, which later did so much damage in Fiji, struck the yacht, and for six days she was hove to. During that time the Valkyrie was driven westward to within 180 miles of New Caledonia to a position practically as far from Auckland as when she hajl left Suva. After that better weather prevailed, and the vessel made good sailing until a thunderstorm was met with about 55 miles off North Cape. Again tl'.e yacht was hove to, and this time she was driven 30 miles off her course. Finally the yacht reached Russell after being at sea for 19 days. The crew was then in need of water and fresh provisions. ; “It was a strenuous time,” said Capfain Gilling. “Of the four boys who form the crew only one had boon at sea before, but they did well.” At one time Captain Gilling never left the wheel for 39 hours, and they were all in need of rest when the yacht reached Russell. From there on they made easy sail down the coast, calling at Whanganuimu, Kawau, Cowes Boy, and Rocky Bay.