NARROW ESCAPE

Waipukurau Press, Volume XXVIII, Issue 129, 26 May 1932, Page 5

NARROW ESCAPE

AUCKLANDERS IN DINGHY

AFTER LAUNCH STRIKES ROCK

AUCKLAND, May 25.'

Three men had to make a hasty escape in a dinghy when the Auckland fishing launch Mirella struck a rock and sank off Goat Island, near Point Rodney, early last evening. They reached shore in safety.

The crew of the launch comprised Messrs. H. Wilson, G. H. Wilson (his nephew) and A. Ellis. The Mirella left Auckland on Sunday morning for Rakino Island for line fishing. Yesterday morning the luanch went to Cape Rodney, and it was while the Mirella was running for shelter behind Goat Island that she was wrecked.

At the time it was pitch dark and moderate seas were, running.. When the launch was about 30>yards out from the shore she was thumped on a submerged rock by the swell. Immediately afterward the launch crashed on to the rocks again and water poured through the bottom ol the boat. ■

The crew realised that ( there was no chance of running the launch on to the beach, and they hadij barely time to grab some blankets and a small quantity of food and b,p.ard the dinghy from the stern' before the launch sank. the dinghy was a few yards away from the Mirella, the launch disappeared from view.

The men then pulled fof the mainland, and succeeded in making a landing through the surf. This morning only the mast of the Mirella was showing above water.