RESCUE AT SEA

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 141, 17 June 1931, Page 6

RESCUE AT SEA

FISHING LAUNCH’S PLIGHT DISABLED OFF WANGANUI FINE W RK BY THE TITOKI Completely disabled, with her engines broken down aud with only two small sails which were of little use, the fishing launch “Advance,” of Wanganui, which was sending out S.O.S. messages by Morse lamp, was picked up and towed into port by the Titoki last night. The Titoki was on a passage from Greymouth to Wanganui, ami at 7 p.m. sighted a vessel sume 12 miles from the shore showing the distress flare and sending out messages for help. Twenty-live minutes after sighting the vessel the 'Titoki drew alongside, aud on the request of those on board commenced to tow the disabled launch 1o port. Slow headway was made owing to the night being particularly dark with a strong easterly breeze and a rough choppy sea. The Titoki was only able to sail at half speed in order to ease the strain on the launch, and it was two hours before the Wanganui bar was reached, and another hour before the Town Wharf appeared in sight Ln spite of the disadvantages, Cap-

tain E. Graham handled the Titoki in a masterly manner iu drawing his boat alongside the disabled launch, and ho showed first-class seamanship in managing a difficult situation. Those on board the “Advance” w'ere very much relieved when the Titoki iiove into sight, for in such a helpless posi tions, they were at the mercy of the tions, they were at the mory of the sea. Had it not been for the fortunate appearance uf the larger boat there is every possibility tnat a dis aster might have occurred.

The steam launch “Advance,” which has had a varied career on the Waikato River, in the Auckland Harbour and on the Wanganui River, was recently converted into a very trim petrol craft to be used for fishing uff the Wanganui Heads and along »he const. Air F. Freeman is the owner, and he had fitted the boat out with up-to-date engines and suitable refri gerating space. 'The “Advance” was chartered originally to carry 84 pas sengers and she plied back and f >r:h among the bays of the Waitemaca. She was also used on the Waikato River. For the past few years she was owned by the Wanganui River Gravel Company and was moored c,n the left bank of the river near the Dublin .Street Bridge.