FAST TRIP BY LAUNCH

Taranaki Daily News, 20 April 1935, Page 6

FAST TRIP BY LAUNCH

MANUKAU-NEW PLYMOUTH FISHING VESSEL’S TIME 20 HOURS. UNEVENTFUL COASTAL JOURNEY. NAVIGATION BY TWO COMPASSES. Taking approximately 20 hours’ sailing time, the launch Elsie, navigated by Messrs. B. Frewin and J. Rutherford, arrived at New Plymouth on Wednesday from Onehunga. The voyage from Onehunga to New Plymouth in a launch but 33ft 9in in length is an unusual occurrence and is considered something of a feat by New Plymouth fishermen. The trip was uneventful, fine weather being experienced all the way. Depending upon two .compasses for navigation purposes, Messrs. Frewin and Rutherford left the Manakau harbour, on Monday morning and, keeping closer to the shore than is the custom of coastal shipping, sheltered at Albatross Point that evening. A day was spent fishing before proceeding to New Plymouth, where the. launch berthed after a trip that occupied the same time as the Hauturu takes on some of her longer voyages. A keen look-out was kept for Mr. Joseph Thomas, who was sailing a 14ft dinghy to Kawhia, but the adventurer was not sighted. Planes were seen occasionally and it is thought that the launch reported by the airmen to bo. fishing off Waikawau was the Elsie. The Rodney, which it is understood will also come Plymouth, was at Onehunga when the Elsie put to sea. Both launches have been bought by New Plymouth interests.