RESCUE AT SUMNER

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18066, 18 April 1933, Page 4

RESCUE AT SUMNER

LAUNCH FOUNDERS ON BAR LIVES OF TWO MEN SAVED An attempt -made by two young men to cross the Sumner bar on Good Friday resulted in the total loss of their craft, a petrol-driven, iron boat. For a time, while the boat. was drifting helplessly at the mercy of the waves, it seemed that thq men’s lives were, in danger. Hundreds of spectators lined the shore and the Cave Rock, and other vantage points were thronged with 'persons who witnessid one of the most spectacular rescues of recent years.

Shortly after 2 o’clock the boat, an mnanted iron launch, left Redeliffs on a slightly edding tide. On board were Arthur Mills and Jock Coutts and a log bound for Port Levy. The boat was ver)- heavily loaded with camping gear, and on reaching the bar was unable to ride the, waves. DANGEROUS WATER Whipped by a strong nor’-wester, the sea over the bar was dangerous looking, and presented difficulties for any launch not possessing a cabin. As was to be expected, water was shipped and the engine was soon out of action, and those on shore, including a member of he Lifeboat Institution, w:ere quiekh--011 the way to sound the alarm. When , the engine stopped the .boat was on the edge of the channel farthest from the shove, and., holme by the .current, it continued to drift into rougher water. About this time the tide appeared to turn, and although it appears ed at one stage that the boat would| drift right through the rough water into the calmer sea beyond, it was brought back by the incoming tide on tho shore side of the channel. Before the lifeboat Rescue I was launched a yacht, making great headway before the violent nor’-wester, was observed corning down the estuary. It was thought that the yacbtsn en might attempt to effect a rescue, but although the yacht passed within' a few yards of the launch, it was obvious that sucli an attempt would have involved the rescue of two boats instead of one. The yacht made the crossing in safety, but only after some breath-taking pitching and rolling. LIFEBOAT LAUNCHED In the meantime the old lifeboat Rescue I had been launched by a full crew. All eyes were now on the two boats, as the distance between them was lessened, and on board the now waterlogged launch the dog could be seen running anxiously to and fro. Just as the lifeboat threw a line, tho launch grounded in shallow water. The dinghy which had been aboard broke away, and with a mixed collection of camping and boating gear floated near the almost completely submerged boat. Because of encountering some heavy water, the lifeboat had to go some distance past the launch, but the occupants made use of the rope to haul themselves from their submerged craft to the lifeboat.

The dog by this time was observed . taking for the shore, and near Mussel Rock was seen to be in difficulties. The action of a friend of the crew in going in in his clothes and rescuing the animal was warmly commended by the spectators. The lifeboat in the meantime had turned to the shore. The rescued meir

immediately began a search foi; their belongings, which, with the dinghy, were floating in the water.

i The launch itself had been swept from the shallow water to a place in ja deep channel between the beacon and Mussel Rock, and there disappeared from view\ v