FIVE PERSONS MISSING IN DINGHY

Chronicle (Levin), 17 January 1949, Page 5

FIVE PERSONS MISSING IN DINGHY

Press Association)

(Per

AUCKLAND, Jan. 16. Eive persohs Who. set out in a 16-foot, sailing dingky on'-Satuwlay mornjijg. f.tii a visit to Brown 's Island, failed t'o return and searehes ffiade today were iinsuecessfUl. The missing are Mr, George Marsh, Of Tamaki, Mrs. Marsh, their young ko ti, Aliss Polly Tam^ and Mr, Oliver Toru, The dinghy, Which was a home-matie craft, was lent^to Mr: ; Marsh by ffis brother-in-law, Mr. T. Adams. The part\ left Point England beach at 9 o'clock on Saturdaj' mofnlhg.- They Wei'e-ex pccted to return dtiring the afteruooil but had not dOne so at nightfali. A strong Southerly wind wSs blowing during the day and the sea was rough, Mr. Adams coUdiicted a seatch in aiiother boat tliis morhing but could find n© ti-ace of the missing dinghy or Lts "occupants. He Uotified the police atld the police launch Lady Shirley took up the searCh. It patrolled the afon around Brown 's Island .nntil toniglil but "Wlthout shccess. The seareh will be continued tomorrow. Brown 's island lies about 2| miles from where the party set oUt. A strong sontli easterly wind, rough seas and sUdden squalls made yachtihg Con ditions diflicult on Auckland Harboui oii Saturday and nniii}' of the boat*-'R-hich ventured out eapsized. Boal crews'finished up in the water at many poi'iits, ahd untii she Was holed in a collision With a vehxcular ferry, the Lady Sahdra was fu-lly _ occupied witli reseue work. Of 54 boats wliich started in^the regatta, only 26 linished. Several of the other 28 eapsized, broke their gegr or chose to withdraw. Rescm launches were kept busy before the races began "as some of the yachts eapsized while going out to staft.