LAUNCH OWNER RISKS OWN LIFE TO SAVE TWO MEN IN DINGHY

Wanganui Chronicle, 7 November 1949, Page 4

LAUNCH OWNER RISKS OWN LIFE TO SAVE

TWO MEN IN DINGHY

WELLINGTON, Last Night (PA). —At the risk o£ his own life, a Worser Bay launch-owner gallantly rescued two men in a dinghy from the teeth of a southerly gale in the Wellington Harbour today. He is Mr. J. Patchett, who drove his 18ft. launch Huia through high southerly seas to rescue Messrs Rex Garrett and Ted Felther, of Seatoun. They were fishing in a 12-foot dinghy off Seatoun when the southerly sprang up, almost without warning. In spite of their efforts to make the shore they were blown rapidly down the harbour and before long they were almost out of sight in driving rain squalls and spray. When Mr. Patchett was told of the dinghy’s plight he immediately put out into the gale. His launch pitching and tossing, and almost smothered by breaking waves, he headeS after the fast-drifting dinghy. The most dangerous part of the task came when he overtook the dinghy in the most exposed part of the channel, between Ward Island and Scorching Bay, where the seas were rolling almost eight feet high. The launch came broadside to the waves as she turned to pick up the'dinghy. Mr. Patchett said aP-rrwards he thought she would turn over. However, a line was flung to the dinghy and made fast. After a hard battle against the gale the launch and dinghy were welcomed at the Seatoun Wharf by a crowd of over 200.