PHANTOM LAUNCH

Taranaki Daily News, 11 September 1934, Page 10

PHANTOM LAUNCH

STORY FROM CHATHAM ISLANDS. “FOREBODING OF DISASTER.’’ Strange stories of a phantom launch which is said to visit the fishing grounds at the Chatham Islands have been brought from the islands in recent months. Several fishermen claim to have seen the launch, and its appearance is said to forebode disaster. It was first seen some three or four years ago; and shortly afterwards a containing 11 fishermen from Kaingaroa, who were on their way to a football match, foundered with all on board.

Returning from a visit to the islands about four weeks ago, the steamer Tees brought back further reports of the phantom launch. It had been seen again by several men. Travelling at a high speed, it would appear in misty or thick weather, and would pass without noticing the fishing boats. In one or two instances, the men claim, the launch passed so close to them that they could see the engine working; but there was no sign of anyone on board. Among those who claimed to Save seen it recently was a fisherman named Samuel Nicholson, who had several times asserted his belief that the appearance of the launch would be followed by disaster. When the Tees returned at last to Lyttelton she brought the news that Nicholson had been thrown overboard from a launch in a heavy sea, and drowned. Most of the fishermen, and even some of the settlers on the islands, accept with awe and apprehension the stories of the appearance of this ghostly craft.