MAROONED UP-RIVER

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 15, 19 January 1939, Page 6

MAROONED UP-RIVER

DISASTROUS BOAT TRIP WANGANUI MEN LOSE EQUIPMENT Marooned for two hours in bitterly cold weather on a rock in midstream near Herlihy's Bluff, four miles from Taumarunui, their boat holed and gear to the value of 130 washed away by the racing current, was the sudden and unenviable termination of what was intended to be a fortnight's leisurely trip down the Wanganui River, experienced by Messrs. E. T. Mallasch and R. McNeil, of Wanganui, and S. Anderson, of Haicombe, on Monday. Leaving Taumarunui at 2.30 p.m. in a 17-foot flat-bottomed boat, the party had an uneventful trip until disaster overtook them near Herlihy’s Bluff. On rounding a bend the boat was caught by a sudden gust ol wind, swung broadside on to the current and washed against a rock in midstream, where it remained fast.

Realising their hazardous predicament as the boat began to swamp, the men transferred themselves to the rock. No sooner had they done so than the boat completely filled and baggage and stores to the value of £3O were washed away. In the cold, blustering weather, the marooned party was forced to remain in midstream for about two hours. They made efforts to reach the bank by working from rock to rock but were unable to get far. The swiftness of the river at this point was such as to preclude any hope of safely reaching the bank by swimming. Finally, hope was aroused when a lorry driver was seen to be attempting to attract their attention from the road above. Securing a helper, the driver tied a rope to himself, and carrying another to throw out further if the current carried the men out of his reach, he waded out chest deep into the water. Leaving the rock in tuin, the meh, after being swept swiftly down by the current, were each grabbed by the driver. The three men were very cold and stiff when rescued, but after receiving hospitality at a resident's home, they appeared none the worse for their ordeal. An attempt was made to salvage some of the lost gear, which included rifles, clothes, cameras and stores, and a search about two miles further downstream wa) rewarded by the discovery of two bags containing blankets and clothes