LAUNCH ADVENTURES

Taranaki Daily News, 16 October 1935, Page 4

LAUNCH ADVENTURES

WAITARA MEN BAR-BOUND

SECOND LAUNCH REMOVES CREW.

VESSEL DRIFTING ALONG COAST.

DISTRESS REPORT EXAGGERATED. The inability of a Waitara fishing launch, Water Lily, to cross the bar into the river on Monday afternoon owing to the condition of the bar gave rise to reports at Waitara that the crew, Messrs. Lance Robinson and Henry Wilkinson, were in distress. Although the fears were later found to be groundless another Waitara launch, the Rapanui, went out yesterday morning, after an unsuccessful attempt the night before, in the belief that the Water Lily’s engine had broken down. Although safe for outward-bound launches ■ the bar was not considered safe for an inward trip and the Rapanui, after an abortive effort to tow the Water Lily, removed the two on board and proceeded to New Plymouth.. The Water Lily was left at anchor and the Rapanui will probably leave New Plymouth early this morning, it being expected that both vessels will be able to get into Waitara now that the sea has subsided. Mr. Robinson, who owns the Water Lily, and Mr. Wilkinson set out from Waitara .on Saturday to fish off White Cliffs, landing three dozen schnapper and two six-foot sharks. They returned down the coast on Sunday but decided to remain at sea until Monday. In the meantime a westerly change took place and raised the seas on the bar, which is shallow at present, and it was deemed advisable not to attempt the entrance. The presence of the launch off the river mouth gave rise to rumours at Waitara on Monday that the launch was in distress. Captain T. J. Wood, harbourmaster, and Mr. J. T. H. Robinson, Mr. L. Robinson’s father, kept a look-out all day without, however, receiving any signal soliciting aid. Nevertheless the launch Rapanui was manned by other friends of the two on the Water Lily ; but found conditions too rough on the bar. A successful crossing was made shortly before 9 o’clock yesterday morning, with Messrs. M. Erceg, J. Limmer, . R. Kendrick, H. Lowe, R. Terry and J. Kupe on board. A tow rope was thrown aboard the Water Lily but it broke twice. Messrs. Robinson and Wilkinson were then taken off their launch, which was anchored, and the Rapanui headed into the seas to New Plymouth rather than risk shooting the breakers over the bar. The trip took two and a-half hours, the Rapanui reaching New Plymouth with little benzine left, shortly before 12.30. Members of the crew said it.had been hard battling in a small launch. Shortly after the Rapanui left the Water Lily Mr. N. C. Fookes took his launch out to lend any assistance that might be required and found the bar conditions sufficiently moderated to make an entrance easy. By that time,, however, the Rapanui was well on its way to New Plymouth and Mr. Fookes returned to Waitara.

Under the influence of the westerly the Water Lily drifted some distance and last night was about half a mile further up the coast. Mr. Robinson told a News reporter last night that he and Mr. J. Northcott, owner of the Rapanui, intended to take that launch out from New Plymouth again early this morning to enable him to pick up the Water Lily, which had drifted slightly towards the reef off the Waitara East beach. It would, he said, be a simple matter to bring the Water Lily into Waitara as the engine was sound and in good running order, although the vessel was leaking slightly. There was still two gallons of benzine in the tank, which had not been sufficient for the run to New Plymouth. The Water Lily had not been in difficulties but they had not felt justified in attempting to cross the bar under the conditions.