MISSING LAUNCH FOUND

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1073, 10 September 1930, Page 1

MISSING LAUNCH FOUND

SEAPLANE’S SUCCESSFUL SEARCH BOAT AT WHANGAPOUA BAY PLANE LEAVES FOOD AND WATER SHELTERING in Whangapoua Bay, Great Barrier, the launch Virginia, with four men on board, which was four days overdue on a fishing trip in the gulf, was found this morning by a Fairey seaplane, piloted by Flight-Lieutenant S. Wallingford, of the Hobsonville Air Base. The machine landed in the bay, and food and water was given to the men, who are reported to be well and intend to return to Auckland as soon as favourable weather conditions prevail.

Considerable concern for the sat'ely of the men was felt during the four days which had passed since their scheduled time of return and yesterday afternoon a search for the launch was conducted by a Fairey seaplane from Hobsonville. Flight-Lieutenant Wallingford piloted the machine and he was accompanied by Mr. F. D. Mill, a well-known Auckland flying enthusi ant and light airplane owner. A thorough search was made of the Gulf in the direction of Kawaa Island and Great Barrier. The machine returned in the evening to report that a launch had been seen about dusk travelling north, round Great Barrier Island, but owing to the rapidly failing light, it could not be identified as the missing launch. SEARCH FROM AIR Shortly after six o’clock this morning the Cutty Sark flying-boat, piloted by Squadron-Leader L. M. Isitt, and the Fairey seaplane, piloted by FlightLieutenant Wallingford, set out to continue the search. The Fairey set out for the Hen and Chickens group, and after circling about in that vicinity flew over to Moko Hinau Island, thence to the Great Barrier. The Fairey hugged the east coast of the Barrier and flew at a fairly low altitude. Flying over Whangapoua Bay a launch was noticed below. The machine circled about and the men on the launch waved. CONDITIONS UNFAVOURABLE Conditions were most unfavourable oa the water, but Flight-Lieutenant Wallingford made a landing and went as close to the launch as possible. A dinghy was Immediately dispatched from the launch, which proved to be that which had been missing, and which was seen from the seaplane the previous evening. Food and water were given to the stranded men, who said that they were quite well and did not require, any further assistance. They intended to leave for Auckland as soon as the fairly boisterous weather abated. The launch had been unable to make any headway owing to

rough seas and strong head winds. Owing to the rough conditions the seaplane could not stay iong with the men and left for Hobsonville, where it arrived shortly alter nine o’clock. Those in the party are: Mr. T. J. W. Smith, of 26 Mount Smart Road, Te Papapa. Mr. John Victor White, of Gardener Road, Epsom. Mr. E. Tooley, of Jubilee Avenue, Ellerslie, and Mr. Arthur Gibbons. The Virginia was expected to return on Friday. It is a new vessel, painted

white. The party intended to visit Kawau or Great Barrier. On Monday evening, shipping on the coast was notified by the B class radio station IZB. of . the absence of the launch and instructions to maintain a watch were issued. The lighthouse keeper at Tiri-tiri Island was also informed. On Monday a constable at Port Fitzroy reported to Auckland that the party left there on Sunday to go to the east coast of the Great Barrier, where it intended to continue fishing.