AN ILL-STARRED ADVENTURE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3743, 8 December 1925, Page 56

AN ILL-STARRED ADVENTURE.

RETURN OF THE MERGANSER CREW “MAD-BRAINED SCHEME.” LONDON, October 23. The s.s. Newburn brought back to Bristol the two adventurers, Mr William Unitt and his young daughter, who failed in their attempt to sail from Plymouth to New Zealand in the 30ft yacht Merganser. Captain Beale, of the Newburn, said his candid opinion was that the trip was nothing more nor less than a wild goose chase, and had absolutely no chance of succeeding. What Mr Unitt and his daughter had done was very well done indeed, but they were jolly lucky to strike the Portuguese coast. His opinion was that had no more chance of reaching New Zealand by water than they had of reaching heaven bv the same means. Mr Unitt was full of good ideas, and his little daughter was a glorious and plucky girl. Though she was 16 years of age, she was really only a child of 10 in experi ence. They had had a very rough time, and anvthing he could do to help them he would do. They had lost everything, and on. their voyage had no sextant, no chart, and no chronometer. They were accommodated in a lodging house at Oporto, and Mr Unitt semaphored the Newburn asking for food for his daughter and himself as they were starving. He then took them on board the Newburn and after consultation with the steward brought them back as cheaply as possible, charging them only 3s per" day or 30s for the trip. He gave them the use of his saloon and made them as comfortable as possible. A FLOATING COFFIN. When in the Bay the two adventurers were battened down on two occasions, and remained below, practically in a coffin, for three days at a time. Mr Unitt had no means of navigation, and though fitted with wireless was unable to use it. His only chart was an ordinary geographical atlas. The chief engineer of the Newburn, a true Scot, told "Mr Unitt and his daughter that they wen* lucky to escape, and also especially lucky to strike a skipper like “our old man.” Captain Beale said he thought the real facts of the case should be placed before the public. Such a trip, he said, was a mad-brained scheme. Mr Unitt had no possible chance of obtaining what he set cut to accomplish; and he aid no s t possess even the means to do it.