A SUDDEN PLUNGE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19766, 14 February 1927, Page 6

A SUDDEN PLUNGE

SPEED BOAT GOES UNDER CAPSIZES AT FIFTY MILES AN HOUR Racing at a speed of nearly 50 miles an hour, Messrs J. and J. Aiderton’s speedboat J and J capsized on Saturday and provided the few people who saw the incident with the thrill of their lives. The sensation occurred while J and J was turning a buoy about a quarter of a mile above the Aramoho bridge. Having had a bad start in the race, which was of 15 miles, her crew were driving her all out in an endeavour to catch up on Kotuku, which was about 100 yards ahead. Mr R. Hatrick took his craft round the buoy safely, as J and J was approaching it, and the latter had to contend with Kotuku’s wash and slight jopple. J and J took the turn at full speed but failed to get round and turned completely over striking the water with such force that tho Aiderton brothers had their lifebelts torn off them. The forward decking of the speedboat was wrenched open and she sank to the bottom of the river, taking her crew with her. They managed to free themselves, however, and came to the surface, luckily not having been injured. Kotuku cam.e racing back to the scene of the accident and took the crew aboard, and later J and J was hauled to the surface and beached. With her foredeck smashed, her hull strained, the canvas protecting the engine ripped away and her engine damaged and full of silt, she was leaking badly, but her owners, who are known da being among the best sportsmen on tho river, yesterday commenced work on their craft and hope to have her in action again for the next day’s racing.