SINKING YACHT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17410, 12 December 1924, Page 15

SINKING YACHT.

CREW RESCUED AS BOAT DROVE ON ROCKS. OFF BEACHY HEAD. LONDON. October 20. A thrilling rescue of the three seamen of a motor yacht sinking off Beachy Head was M'atched by hundreds of visitors and residents from the Eastbourne Parades yesterday morning. The three men were picked up by the local lifeboat just before their small boat, in which they had escaped drove on a reef opposite Holywell, half a mile from shore. The yacht was a 20-ton craft rofontly refitted at Southampton for Major Ross, of the (hoverons Club. St George’s Square, London. It left Southampton for the Thames on Monday in charge of A. Noakes (master). Greenwich; F. Kelly (mate). Norwich; and C. Dawkins (engineer), Southampton. Before reaching Ncwhaven the men had had troubles, and put into the harbour for repairs. They left again at 8 a.m. yesterday, and when they were rounding Beachy Head, the propeller apparently smashed, cutting a hole in the yacht. In a few minutes there was four feet of water in the cabin. For three hours the men fought to stem the inrush of water, but when the yacht began to sink stern first, she was abandoned and the lifeboat was called out. The men took to their small boat but this craft began to break ui> on the rocks. Fortunately, they were rescued in an exhausted condition before they had to take to the water. Interviewed by 44 Tho Daily Chronicle ” representative yesterday- the master said that lie discovered the trouble when the engine started racing with the boat almost at a standstill. “ After we abandoned the yacht,” he added, “ she dragged her anchor and went ashore on the rocks under Beachy Head.”