SKIFF OVERTURNS

Southland Times, Issue 24596, 19 November 1941, Page 4

SKIFF OVERTURNS

RESCUE OF FOUR MEN (P.A.) AUCKLAND, November 18. After battling in a small boat through heavy seas and against a strong wind for a mile and a-half, Captain R. S. Judson, V.C., of the guards of vital points, and two soldiers rescued four artillerymen clinging to a water-logged rowing skiff in Waitemata harbour. The four men were on the point of exhaustion through cold and buffeting seas when rescue came. The coxswain of the skiff, Gunner E. J. Eastman, by a perilous swim of nearly a quarter of a mile managed to reach the shore, bravely quitting the skiff because the extra weight would have caused it to founder.

The four oarsmen. Bombardier J. J. Rasmussen, Gunner V. J. Lowe, Gunner J. E. Hammond and Gunner F. J. Hodges and the coxswain are members of the 9th Heavy Regiment, New Zealand Artillery, and were training for the military rowing championship to be held early next month. Using a four-oar skiff, the men rowed from St. Mary’s Bay to clam water in the vicinity of Princess wharf. A sudden change in the weather occurred as the skiff was returning to tlie boathouse. A strong wind and current and a rolling sea put the small craft into difficulties and it finally filled with water in midstream. The buoyancy compartments became flooded with water, and it was found that the waterlogged skiff could barely take the weight of five men. Gunner Eastman reached the shore exhausted while the rescue of his companions was made.