ADRIFT FOR THREE DAYS

Taranaki Daily News, 27 August 1931, Page 11

ADRIFT FOR THREE DAYS

NEAR TRAGEDY OFF NAPIER MAN AND HIS TWO CHILDREN. • LAUNCH ENGINE BREAKS DOWN. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Napier, Last Night. To be adrift in a disabled launch foi three days without water was the experience of W. Neville, Portland Island, and his two children, Bessie, aged 11, and Ralph, aged 9, who finally reached the Napier breakwater at a late hour on Tuesday night in a email, flimsy dinghy. - : The launch and its three occupants /Irifted with, the wind and tide from Portland Island, off Mahia Peninsula, to Pania Reef, near Napier, .and bqek again to Waihtia, north of Mohaka, and again to Paula, where, they abandoned the launch after anchoring it, and set out for Napier in. a dinghy.,; A mishap to the engine of the .'launch had occurred about half an hour’s run from Kalkokopu. - As the launch was drifting towards the Island Neville thought he would be able to make it, but the launch drifted past the island in heavy seas, and by Monday morning was six miles south of the island. Neville then hoisted, a sail and set h course for Napier, But when they reached Pauia>.the wind changed and drove them in the opposite direction. They then set a coufse for Waikokopu, but opposite Waihu the wind again changed and drove thdm south. . .

The three were then feeling 'the effects of thirst, but it ■ was found the water jar had been by a mischance filled with vinegar. A course was agdin set for Napier and the launch ' was carried well out and headed for Ca/pe Kidnappers. Neville and the two children ’ then abandoned the launch and arrived at Napier at a late hour On Tuesday night. The disabled launch was towed in shortly after noon to-day ahd will be repaired for the :return voyage.