TRAWLER SINKS AFTER CAPSIZING IN GALE

Chronicle (Levin), 12 May 1949, Page 9

TRAWLER SINKS AFTER CAPSIZING IN GALE

• Press Association)

(Pei

A U GJSJLiAlN u, May 11. Capsizing in a hard south-easterly gale, the 13-ton fishing trawler Choice, was lost off Motiti Island, near Tauranga, today. The boat sank in five minutes but the three members of her crew were picked up unhurt from steep breaking seas, by another tr&wler whieh raeed to their assistance. After sheltering at Tauranga for four days, the Choice left for the fishing grounds early this afternoon in company with the trawlers Silver Spray and Waiwera. She was in charge of heT part-owner, Mi;. William Gerard Sampson, of Devonport, Other members of the ciew were Mr. Joseph Stace and Mr. Arthur McClymont, both of Auckland. With the gale blowing in gusts of 60 miles an hour, the trawlers could make iittle progress in the heavy weather and Mr. Sampson decided to shelter m Patterson's Cove on Motiti Island. The boat was making slow headway on its new eourse when a squall threw her on her side. While frantic efforts were being made to right her- in the choppy sea. water poured through the forecastle scuttle. She slowly overturned and disappeared within five minutes. ^The Waiwera was then out of sight but the Choice 's plight was 'seen by the ekippor of ihe fiUvor Spray, Mr, Gordon

Owens, of Auckland, about a mile away. . Punching through heavy seas, he turned to her assistance and picked up the three swimming survivors. They had lost all their shipboard possessions. Well-known in the Auckland fishing fieet, the Choice was a 48-ft. dieseipowered boat. She was regarded as being exeeptionally well fitted and her trawling netting and handling gear had an estimated value of about £1000. The Iraw'ler was eovered by insuranee.