CAMP ON RAURIMAS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 08, Issue 92, 24 July 1945, Page 5

CAMP ON RAURIMAS

PISHERMENS' EXPERIENCE

PARTY OF SIX MAROONED

An enforced three night's ■ camp on the Raurilmas, was the discomforting expferience of a party of stormbound local fishermen last week-end'. The party, which numbered six in all was placed in the position through the storm! which blew up of • ' having to spend four days at sea and' on the Raurimas. Setting out on Thursday from Whar fcatane, two of the men were landed on the Raurimas to prepare the camp, whilst the rest took the boat down to Thornton in order to do some netting. On the way back, engine trouble developed, and it wax not till nearly midnight on Thursday that the whole party was finally safely encamped, on the island. On Friday a carrier pigeon was sent •off with word to say that if the storm abated, the return would be made the next day. But the storm did not abate, and Saturday found the six men still oii 'the island with the weather too bad to even send a carrier pigeon off. Sunday came, with rationing of the •extra food anfl water taken. But the jpeak of the gale had been reached the night before, and on the Suiv <lay, a carrier pigeon battled its lone way across to the mainland carrying word of their plight. Monday brought relief in the form •of the Harbour Board launch which made the trip across and brought the fishing boat which was still out of commission, and the party back to safety.