Auckland Keeler Reaches Norfolk

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 548, 28 December 1928, Page 1

Auckland Keeler Reaches Norfolk

VICTORY’S LONG VOYAGE THROUGH boisterous seas r Boisterous weather overcome, the first-class Auckland keelyacht Victory has reached Norfolk Island, the goal of her 600mile voyage, from the Waitemata. '4 S first announced in The Sun yesA terday, she sailgd from Auckland on Wednesday, December 19, and made her final take-off from Whangaroa. Without any fuss or flag-wag-ing she slipped out unobserved from the shelter of the Northern harbour. A brief cablegram received in the city last evening showed that she reached Norfolk Island about noon yesterday. RACING YACHT The crew of the boat, which is a seven-toner, with an over-all length of 3S feet, is Mr. Harold J. C. George, solicitor, of Auckland, the owner, his brother. Captain G. H. George, master of the steamer Hikurangi, and Mr. Cecil R. Bowman, all of Northcote. The Victory is 29 feet long on the •waterline, and she has a beam of 9 feet. Her reputation as a good sea boat must have stood her in good stead on the trip—one of the most venturesome undertaken by Auckland yachtsmen. Leaving fhe port of Auckland withbut publicity, the Victory met strong head winds, and anchored at Whangaparaoa Peninsula on the first night. Next day she made Whangaroa. With everything snug she headed out into H strong north-easterly, which was so violent that she put back for a time. Then she slipped out unobserved. A SMART TRIP The Victory must have made a smart trip to the Island, her time being well under four days from Whangaroa. There is no safe harbour at Norfolk, and the anxiety of the crew will not be over until the yachtsmen are back in one of New Zealand's sheltered bays again. The men allowed themselves about a month for their ocean voyage, and they will probably remain at the Island for a few days before they begin the return leg of the 1,200-mile trip. A well-known racing yaoit, the Victory was used by Lord and Lady .lellicoe for cruising when they were in New Zealand.