WAITEMATA FIGURES IN OCEAN RESCUE

Wanganui Chronicle, 29 March 1949, Page 5

WAITEMATA FIGURES IN OCEAN RESCUE

RAROTONGA. March 28 (Rec. 10.50 p.m.)—Responding to a distress call and diverting its course, the Union Steam Ship Company’s vessel Waitemata, now en route to Vancouver from Rarotonga, figured in an ocean rescue on March 16 which involved the converted Fairmile Mahurangi, with a passenger list of 19 and a cargo of pearl shell. The Fairmile, after lying helpless in the Pacific between Hanihiki and Rarotonga some hours because of engine failure, sent a signal to the Waitemata, which eventually picked up the distressed ship about 60 miles from Aitutaki Island and took aboard the passengers. The Waitemata also took the Mahurangi in tow until, after the fuel supply was replenished, the Fairmile was able to proceed under her own power. The Mahurangi’s passengers included Judge Alfred McCarthy, head of the Cook Islands Administration, Sergeant J. O’Halloran, of the police, and the Roman Catholic priest, Father Cornelius. The Fairmile was under charter to Mr. D. C. Brown, who was the owner of the ill-fated schooner Tahitienne, which became a total wreck in Avarua Channel, Rarotonga, last year. The Waitemata was delayed 24 hours by the diversion and arrived at. Rarotonga on March 17 instead of March 16.