A LAUNCH INCIDENT.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 30, Issue 22, 19 March 1918, Page 4

A LAUNCH INCIDENT.

A well-known local resident, with a companion, had an unenviable experience in a launch last Friday. Leaving Havelock at about noon on a falling tide, all went well until just within Shag Point, where the boat struck a snag with such force that a large hole was ripped in her keel planks. The launch reeled over and filled so rapidly that the occupants found themselves up to their armpits in water before they realised what had happened. In the strong current the boat swung round and left the obstruction and turned over two or three times and finally settled bottom upwards with her deck-house in the mud and her bow just showing above the water. The predicament in which the men found themselves would have been more serious had not the owner of the boat quickly thrown the anchor overboard when the boat struck, which* prevented her from continuing her roll into deeper water. Where the accident occurred was about half a mile from shore and one of the men could not swim, and there was no alternative but to cling to the up-turned launch and wait for the water to* recede. As no assistance was forthcoming, and no one apparently had witnessed the mishap, the men were forced to remain in the water for about an hour and a half. At low tide the boat was left high and dry and the men were able to reach shore by wading through the intervening channel. The launch has been brought to Havelock for repairs.