CRUISE INTERRUPTED BY ENGINE FAILURE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19267, 2 January 1931, Page 7

CRUISE INTERRUPTED BY ENGINE FAILURE.

Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, January 2. A thrilling experience befell four Wellington residents who set oui on Christmas Day for a tour of the Sounds in the launch Onapua. The occupants were Mr and Mrs J. Epsom, Messrs R. Rawfe and J. Walloy. Soon after clearing the Terawhiti rip the engine failed, and those aboard were unable to get it going again. Sails were hoisted, and a course set for the southern end of Queen Charlotte Sound. As night came on the wind dropped and the party spent Christmas night waiting for an opportunity to enter Tory Channel. A strong tide on Boxing Day caused Mr Epsom to run down the coast with the intention of reaching Port Underwood. Meanwhile a north-east wind was freshening and the party attempted to reach the boat harbour. The tide prevented this, and similar luck met an attempt for White Bluffs, anchor being finally dropped at the mouth of the Awatere River. For two nights and a day the launch rode the heavy seas, no reply being made to the flares which the men sent up. Finally the plight of the party was observed from the shore, and after a hazardous row in a dinghy to the shore, where aid was asked, a launch came out from Blenheim and towed the helpless craft back to port, which was reached on Sunday night.