ARDUOUS VOYAGE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26903, 15 October 1948, Page 6

ARDUOUS VOYAGE

KETCH ILEX SAILS FOR TONGA P.A. WELLINGTON, Oct. 14. With food for four months stowed away against an estimated voyage of three weeks, the 51ft ketch Ilex late this afternoon left Wellington on a 2300-mile cruise to Tonga. She will be handed over to the Methodist Church of Tonga. The voyage, via Rarotonga, Tubuni, and Tahiti, is certain to be arduous, even if she is favoured with fine weather. Her crew of seven—all but one experienced seafarers —seemed undaunted by the prospect, cheering and waving cotton waste “ leis,” as she sailed from the boat harbour using her Diesel motor. Mr W. N. Thomas, her former owner and master for the voyage, said that the vessel was fully prepared for the worst weather and seas. Anchors and essential gear had been put on board in duplicate in case of trouble. A seven-man rubber raft was carried, and a high-powered radio set and full signalling equipment were available. The Ilex will communicate daily with the Wellington weather office repotting her position arid the weather conditions, and will be given a forecast Fifteen-year-old Royden Thomas, son'of the skipper, will be the radio operator.