ALL WELL.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 14 October 1926, Page 5

ALL WELL.

“Launch party rescued by “MAORI.” Br Telecraph—Press Association ' CHRISTCHURCH, October 13. The missing launch Dauntless was sighted by the ferry steamer Maori this morning, and the three men —John McNeill, Patrick McLean and Paddy Breen —were picked up at 5 a.m., all well. They left Lyttelton to fish at 8.30 on Sunday morning, and should have returned by noon, but heavy seas sprang up, and the petrol gave out. All hope of their safety was given up last evening, because a big storm raged, and the fact that they had not been seen anywhere around Banks Peninsular. The launch had been buffeted by a howling southerly and raging sens. Water got into the magneto on Sunday afternoon, and the engine was useless. A sail was hoisted, hut was carried away during Sunday night. Oil Monday a makeshift sail was rigged up, and by the aid of this the men, all experienced seamen, kept the craft in the track of the ferry steamers in spite of the terrible weather. Th e Maori was late this morning, otherwise she would have passed the launch in the dark, and would probably not have seen it. When picked up the men were remakabty fit, though iliev had neither food nor drink. Since Sunday at noon they drifted 40 miles up the coast.