GALE WEATHERED

Waikato Times, Volume 194, Issue 22320, 11 April 1944, Page 2

GALE WEATHERED

MEN IN 12FT. PUNT ADRIFT IITcOOK STRAIT (By Telegranii.—Press Association) BLENHEIM, Tuesday Two men, Mr John William Perano, of Blenheim, and Mr Lindsay George Brunning, of Seddon, were blown offshore in a 12ft. flat-bot-tomed boat at Cape Campbell on Sunday afternoon, but landed safely at Port Underwood yesterday morning. They had spent 16 hours in a southerly gale in Cook Strait, navigating their crazy craft 27 miles throughout the stormy night, one of the most amazing examples of seamanship known on this coast. Mr Perano, wjio is aged 69 and is a relieving keeper at Cape Campbell lighthouse, went fishing with Mr Brunning in calm weather on Sunday afternoon. A sudden southerly blew up, carrying them rapidly out tP sea. The chief lighthouse keeper notified the Blenheim police, and arrangements were made for a naval vessel to be sent out from Wellington. An Air Force plane from Woodbourne was assisted by bearings supplied by the lighthouse. Overtaken by Darkness

The pilot readily located the boat and dropped “Mae West” life jackets, which the men picked up. Darkness closed in and there was no report of the men until they stepped ashore and knocked up a settler at Kakapo Bay at 6 o’clock yesterday morning. The search vessel missed them in the dark and they rowed or drifted throughout the night in the high seas, constantly drenched by spray and rain.

Mr Perano and Mr Brunning arrived at Blenheim this morning by launch, bringing the tiny craft in which they made their astonishing voyage. It is 12ft. long, 3ft. 9in. in the beam and 15in. deep.