FISHERMAN’S PLIGHT.

Otago Witness, Issue 3764, 4 May 1926, Page 35

FISHERMAN’S PLIGHT.

MCri'CR LAUNCH IN A GALE. TAURANGA, May 1. The temporary faiiure of the electric light iasi night shortly before eight o’clock caused householders some inconvenience, but those patiently waiting for the light to reappear Utile dreamt of the desperae plight of three men in a motor launch in a howling gale, jammed on the lee shore in the harbour against a live electric wire. A 30ft mullet was coming up the harbour making for the town, when it was found that no headway could be made against the heavy westerly gale then raging. and the occupents, Messrs L. Jury and R. Haves (the owners) and T. Black, found that trie boat was being gradually blown on to the shore in the vicinity of Whareora. Two anchors were dropped, and tire engine was kept going, but without avail, and finally the launch went aground on the eastern shore near Whareora. Then came disaster swift and alarming Tire mast struck an electric wire carrying the current along the beach to Mount Maunganui. Immediately the vessel was a mass of sparks, and appeared to he on fire from stem to store. Jury, who was forward at the time was stunned and knocked overboard, and Black, who wa« astern, was stunned and thrown across the iron fittings of the launch, his clothing being burned through. Haves, who, was in the cockpit, was also rendered unconscious. The launch then sheared off temporarily from tho wires, and Black re•'overed sufficiently to scramble into a flatbottomed dinghy. He dragged Haves from the launch and then picked up Jury, who was still in the water. A’l three were stiff in a dazed condition and were blown on to Ihe beech in the boat. Several Maoris were on the beaeh writing, having noticed the commotion when the launch touched the wires and thev helped the men ashore. The men were provided with dry clothing and to town this morning. Thp launch finally got clear of the wire and drifted do»«m fh° harbour end burnt until about 11.30. being practically ghted The owners estimate their loss at about .2500.