TWO YACHTS DISMASTED

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 591, 18 February 1929, Page 12

TWO YACHTS DISMASTED

STORMY STRAIT CROSSING OCEAN RACE ABANDONED Press Association WELLINGTON, To-day. Disaster attended the ocean yacht race from Wellington to Port Underwood and back, in which five yachts, Nanette, Galatea, Mana, Windward and Shamrock, competed during the weekend. During the first lap on Saturday afternoon Nanette had her mast broken off Island Bay on the return journey a storm struck both Windward and Shamrock when they were about half-way across Cook Strait. The mast of the Windward snapped, and it was only after skilful manoeuvring on the part of Shamrock that Windward could be secured and towed back to Tory Channel. Violent seas made the experience of allx concerned an unenviable one. and there was considerable anxiety until Shamrock towed her charge to safety. The tow-rope snapped four times, adding further to the trials of the crew. As nothing further could be done at the time with Shamrock and Windward, the yachtsmen boarded a launch and, meeting the Tamahine from Pictcui in the channel, were taken aboard for return to Wellington. Windward will have to be towed back to Wellington in her present condition, or a new mast fitted, if she is to make the journey herself. Mana did not start back on the homeward journey. The yachtsmen are loud in their praises of the hospitable treatment accorded them by the people of the Sounds. ATTEMPT IN CANOE Press Association WELLINGTON, To-day. On Friday night Charles Barwell set out in his tiny collapsible canoe to cross Cook Strait, hut alter proceeding a short distance lie decided to return, and landed at the fishermen’s huts just south of Makara Beach. Barwell states that he was finding difficulty in receiving accurate weather reports. All he receives is the forecast transmitted over the wireless, but ill the main he is relying more upo’n his own judgment than on anything else.