FISHING LAUNCH WRECKED

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 170, 21 July 1939, Page 8

FISHING LAUNCH WRECKED

TWO MEN SWIM ASHORE ORDEAL IN"HEAVY SEA AT CASTLECLIFF CRAFT STRUCK END OF MOLE Forced to swim through a heavy, sea against a racing ebb tide and clamber up treacherous rocks to safety, two Wanganui men narrowly escaped death when the fishing ' launch Galileo was wrecked on the end of the north mole, at Castlecliff, yesterday afternoon. ' Manned by Arthur Cameron, aged 43 years, and Rex Wadsworth, aged 21 years, the launch, a 25-ton fishing vessel, was returning to port with a cargo of dunnage salvaged from in the vicinity of the stranded Port Bowen. It was shortly after 3 o'clock and the tide was running out strongly, while heavy seas pounded the bar. Just at the moment the launch rounded the north mole the engine stopped and the men just had time to jump clear before the boat, whirled round on the crest of a large wave, smashed with terrific force on the rocks. The forehead was completely stove in and the anchor went overboard, dragging part of the deck with it. Because the boat Ls divided into watertight compartments it remained afloat. Bumping her way round the end of the mole, the launch was washed up on the Castlecliff beach. Meanwhile. Messrs. Wadsworth and Cameron, were fighting their way through the raging water to the rocks, which they reached only after a 'terrific struggle. After being washed off several times, the men gained se- I cure holds, and, scratched and bruised, | Jambered to safety. The Wanganui Harbour Board's | pilot launch reached the scene of the | mishap in commendably quick time, I hut as the crew of the ill-fated Galileo I had reached safety the services of the intended rescue craft were not required. The Galileo, which is owned by Mr. T. G. Taylor, of Huntervillo, was badly battered, her fore peak being split right open and wrecked. The compartment most damaged was used for sleeping and eating quarters, and many of the articles it contained were washed up on the beach. Fitted with a 20 horse-power engine, the Galileo has been a familiar sight at the port of Wanganui for many years. It is run for Mr. Taylor by Mr. Cameron, who is a Wanganui fisherman.