A CLOSE CALL

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20888, 21 August 1939, Page 4

A CLOSE CALL

FIVE IN JEOPARDY MISHAP TO A LAUNCH (By Telegraph. —Press Association) WELLINGTON, Saturday A party of five had a close call when a launch owned by Mr Ray Conolly, of Waikawa Bay, was holed In French Pass and sank off Beacon Light. They were Mr H. J. Guthrie, j teacher, at Waikawa Bay; Mr H. J. , Dowrick, teacher at Tetowaka; 'Honey J Harvle, aged eight, of Waikawa Bay; Hilary Moore, aged 12, of Brooklyn, Wellington; and Mr Conolly. t The school teachers were return- - ing to Wellington for the term holidays, and were bringing Hilary Moore with them. The launch left Waikawa Hay for French Pass and Mr Conolly, ( who was well acquainted with the strong current in the Pass, followed the usual course, running up to the beacon in the shelter of the reef. In making a turn into the waterway, the steering gear failed, the launch struck, and the bow was ripped open. The launch sank, but the stem appeared above water, giving support to Hilary Moore. The other girl, who could not swim, was held up by Mr Conolly, and Messrs t Guthrie and Dowrick set out across f the Pass for the lighthouse landing. The lighthouse staff had mean- »' while launched a dinghy in the dark following shouts, and were guided back by Mr Dowrick. All were picked up after by 30 minutes in the bitterly cold_water and f taken to the lighthouse, where they received all care and attention. Later the Wellington passengers boarded the Matangi from another 5 launch, and arrived by her at \Vel- : lington. Only the fortunate state of the tide,

which was almost at the full and slack water, enabled the party to escape, as they did, as normally the Pass is impossible for swimmers or small boats owing to the heavy run of the tide, up to nine and ten knots.