TRAGEDY IN GULF FEARED

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1076, 13 September 1930, Page 1

TRAGEDY IN GULF FEARED

CAPSIZED YACHT PICKED UP TAKAPUNA YOUTH REPORTED MISSING FLYING-BOAT SEARCHES IN VAIN FLLOWING the discovery of a capsized 14'-foot sailingboat, with all sail set, floating in the Hauraki Gulf about two and a-hrlf miles from the shore yesterday afternoon, it is announced that Terence Redding, aged 17 years, is missing from his home in Brett Avenue, Takapuna. It is understood that he was an occupant of the boat.

The scow Seagull was proceeding to Auckland yesterday afternoon, and *hen off Castor Bay Point, on the north side ot Milford at about three /clock, its crew picked up a rudder, nller, oar and grating. A little falser away a small boat, painted white, was observed floating bottom upward, and with only the centre-board showing above the water. The derelict was brought to Auckland by the Seagull, and Captain Lang, the master of the scow, immediately reported the atair to the wharf police. There was no name on the boat and it was empty when found. ALL SAILS SET Owing to the fact that the sails were »ei, fear is held that the boat was occupied when it was upset, hut up to i late hour last evening no one had heeu reported missing. This morning, however, the Takapuna police were informed that Terence Redding was missing from his home, and it was considered that he was on board the jmall vessel. He left his home between nine and ten o'clock yesterday morning and had not returned. A boisterous south-west wind pre railed yesterday, while the weather generally was squally and unsafe for small craft. Captain Lang has reported that he experienced a heavy sqnall about an hour before he sighted the capsized craft. All through the morning a search was conducted by the police along the coast, but no sign of the missing youth teas found. The search, is being continued. The boat, a large cliDker-built dinghy fitted with sails and centreboard, is owned by Mr. L. Nicks, of Hurstmere Road. Takapuna. The missing youth often formed part of the crew and could handle the vessel alone. It is thought he was sailing by himself at the time of the mishap, being overturned by a sudden squall. The boat was not damaged.

' The master of the Seagull states ■ that he found the rudder aud floorI boards floating quite close to the | overturned boat, suggesting that the i accident had occurred but a few minutes earlier. The boisterous wind would soon have driven the light boards away from the boat, which was riding low down in the water and held steady by the drag of the sail. FLYING-BOAT’S SEARCH Information concerning the mishap was received at the Hobsonville Air Rase this morning, and SquadronLeader L. M. Tsitt, officer in charge of the base, immediately set out in the Cutty Sark flying-boat to carry out a search. The machine made a ! thorough search in the vicinity where the boat was picked up, but returned l to the base shortly before midday to report that: no further light could be l thrown upon the capsize.