FAST SAILING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26042, 4 January 1946, Page 4

FAST SAILING

LONG TRIP BY KETCH PELORUS SOUND TO ONEHUNGA (P.A.) AUCKLAND, Jan. 3. After a voyage of less than three days from the Marlborough Sounds, via New Plymouth, the 52ft ketch Ilex, manned by a crew, of seven, arrived unexpectedly at Onehunga yesterday. Formerly a well-known pleasure craft on Waitemata Harbour for many years, during which it had several owners, including Mr Justice Northcroft, the vessel now belongs to Mr N. ’W. Thomas, of Wellington, who purchased it about 18 months ago. The last stage of its journey from New Plymouth to Manukau Heads, a distance of 120 miles, was completed under sail in the good time of 21£ hours. Before setting out for the north, the Ilex competed in the combined race held by the Royal Port Nicholson, Evans Bay, and Queen Charlotte Yacht Clubs from Wellington to Picton. After romping across Cook Strait, it became becalmed in Tory channel, leaving the Wellington yacht Kotiri to win. Clearing Port Ligar at the entrance to Pelorus Sound at 3.15 p.m. on Sunday, the Ilex set sail, with the aid of a strong south-easterly blow, for Cape Egmont, making New Plymouth at 1 o’clock the following afternoon. At 10 a.m. on Tuesday it put out from New Plymouth for Manukau and travelled so swiftly that the order to shorten sail was given so that the bar would not be reached before daybreak on Wednesday. When the Heads were reached at 7.30 a.m. heavy rain squalls prevented the crew from picking up the landmarks, but the bar was crossed without incident, although some difficulty was experienced in clearing the breakers to starboard, owing to the wind, which was then blowing strongly from the north-west.