ILL-FATED FISHERS.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 12584, 14 October 1911, Page 5

ILL-FATED FISHERS.

STRANDED FOR THREE WEEKS

(Per Press Association).

CHRISTCHURCH,' this day. j Whilst engaged m fishing operations ■ at Chatham Islands last month three men named J. Q*Dey, R, Smylie, and J. plough had a rather exciting experience. | O'Dey and Smylie have been for the past two months- m the employ' of the j [Chatham Island Fishing Company, while ! Clough is a resident of Pitt Island. On August 24 O'Dey took over to Pitt Is ? land a five horse-power motor launch, 30 feet long with a beam of § feet, m. order to' start m the fishing industry 'with the other men. They had not long made a start when their troubles began, j "On Monday, September 25, when off Pitt Island, they found themselves caught iii a strong southerly gale, which, raised a; high sea, and they decided to .seek shelter as quickly as possible. They ( made for Goodman's Harbor, a land- j locked place, about three acres m extent. -There was no beach, and only' the rugged cliffs encircled the foreshore. - Although the spot was supposed to be entirely free from the bad elements of the weather, a southerly gale raged on the following Wednesday, and the occupants of the boat found themselves practically hemmed m, a small entrance^ being the only outlet to the sea. On Thursday an attempt was made to get out of the place, the water having risen at this time 30 feet above ordinary high-water, mark, but their efforts prov- j ed futile. On the following day ono j of the heaviest southerly gales that has . visited the, island for years was raging,, ahd the craft began to drag her moorings, and the party was m a perilous, position. The night passed without! mishap, but next morning the sea got ( the better of the boat, and dashed her into matchwood on the rocks, the party jumping out m the nick of time. A light 2|}ft whaleboat, which was m tow, also met with a similar, fate. For three weeks the men roamed about the island, spending their leisure hours m pighuiiiting. They were well cared for by the residents, and on October 10 the Himitangi called at the island, and they were .taken aboard, after having been three weeks and two days from Owenga. Mr O'Dey stated that his loss was about £250, but he intends to purchase another , boat and return to the island as soon as possible. . . . I