BASS STRAIT YACHT RACE

Taranaki Daily News, 31 December 1929, Page 10

BASS STRAIT YACHT RACE

VESSELS BATTERED BY GALES.

By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. Launceston, Dec. 30.

After a gruelling struggle of 42 hours, mostly spent in a howling gale, the Victorian yacht Oimara won the race across Bass Strait. She was followed five hours later by the Shamrock. Up to a late hour last night there was no news of the Wanderer and the Phyllis. Two other contestants, the Maysie and another starter, had to return to a western port shorly afer the start.' When the boats had left Queenscliffe the sea was worked lip with a wind of nearly cyclonic force.. Both the missing vessels have auxiliary, engines. and it is hoped they will reach the Tasmanian coast to-day. A later message says the Wanderer was last seen under bare poles off The Hummocks by the navigator of the Shamrock. The Phyllis has not been seen since 7.50 o’clock on Friday night. The Wanderer has a crew of six. The Maysie was totally disabled 49 miles off the heads of Port Phillip and was blown by a gale nto a western port. The vessel was stripped practically to the deck line. The crew was utterly exhausted after their 36 hours’ battle with the elements.