ENFORCED STAY AT SEA

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 75, Issue 12, 15 January 1932, Page 7

ENFORCED STAY AT SEA

FISHERMAN AND SON. JUDGED DISTANCE BY TIME. [ Per Press Association. ] DUNEDIN, Jan. 14. When the fishing vessel Homeland, owned and manned by James Bruce Cordiner, Timaru, failed to return to port within a few hours of the customary time on Wednesday fears were felt for the safety of the vessel and tho crew. Cordiner and his son James, aged 18, left Timaru on Wednesday morning heading north-east for the mouth of tho Rangitata River. They were scon later returning south, but when the vessel failed to make port some anxiety was felt for the crew. As the boat had not returned during the night launches were sent out to search, but failed to find a trace of the missing boat. Arrangements were made then to search the coast by ’plane and Cap tain T. White located the vessel about eight miles south of Timaru. A launch was then sent out and towed the Homeland back to port. It was revealed that Cordiner, like other fishermen, judged the distance travelled by time. After fishing for a period he discovered his watch had stopped. He set out for home with a strong following wind and, after what he thought was three hours’ sailing, put in to shore only to discover that he was many miles south of Timaru. As the petrol supply was very low he decided to hove-to for the night. This morning he commenced to tack up the coast towards port and was effecting repairs to the mainmast when located by the ’plane. Neither Cordiner nor his son are any worse for their enforced stav at ?ja.