LAUNCH IN PERIL

Taranaki Daily News, 29 January 1931, Page 7

LAUNCH IN PERIL

CARRIED 2o MILES TO SEA.

RESCUE BY PASSING STEAMER.

To be for six hours at the mercy of a ■fierce off-shore gale, which carried their launch 20 miles out to sea, to be rescued by a passing steamer, which took their craft in tow, and, finally, to see ■the launch sink when just within the Sydney Heads were the experiences of three men on Sunday, January 11. The launch was the 35ft passenger craft Glenrowan, and her crew consisted of Messrs, J. H. Dofioghoe, of Messrs, Donoghoe Brothers, launch proprietors, Balmain; T. Walters, of Newcastle; and E.‘ 11. Brett. The Glenrowan had been bought by Mr. Walters from Messrs. Donoghoe Bros, for the ferry er vice between Newcastle and Stockton. She left Sydney at 2 a.m. on Sunday for Newcastle.

All went well until the launch had been at sea for about three hours. A westerly wind was blowing, with almost gale force, but the stout craft, with tried engines, chugged along until off the north head of Broken Bay. There the engine stopped, owing to benzine failure.

Heavy seas were running, and every moment the launch uas in danger of being capsized, but her crew succeeded in keeping her head to the wind until repairs had been effected. No sooner had she got under way again than the gearwheel driving the magneto became stripped, and tlie engine stopped, without there being the slightest hope of restarting it. Caught by the gale, the launch began to drift seawards. The further she drifted the higher became the seas. Every moment it. seemed us if she would be swamped by the big, breaking seas. Tima and again her crew regarded themselves as lost. By midday the launch had been blown 20 miles to the eastward of Broken Bay, and the gale showed no sign of abating. Having been tossed about for six hours the crew were sea-sick and had given up all hope when the steamer Coombar hove in sight. With an effort the men in the launch aroused themselves and made frantic . signals. Happily, these were seen by the steamer. She at once altered her course and bore down on the launch, the crew of which were taken aboard, though, ou account of the heavy seas, not' without difficulty. The Coombar then took the launch in tow by means of a “bridle” attached to each side of the launch in order to keep her square on. Two hours later the Coombar entered, the Heads, and just when it seemed as if all troubles had ended, one side of the “bridle” snapped, a heavy sea caught the launch, and she sank in 100 ft of water. The Glenrowan was often used for the conveyance, of workmen from one ■point of the harbour to another, and from ship to ship. She was comimxlious and speedy, and was well adapted for the trade for which she had been purchased.