SMASHED TO PIECES.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1259, 14 October 1911, Page 6

SMASHED TO PIECES.

ft FATE OF A FISHING LAUNCH. A THRILLING EXPERIENCE. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) Christchurch, Octobor 13. Having lost a rnhtablo motor launch aud fishing plant, and narrowly escaped with his lifo in a thrilling experience at Chatham Islands, Mr. .T, Odey, a wellknown Oamaru fisherman, returned to Lyttclton by tho Ili'initaugi this morning. He is on his way south to procure another launch and outfit, and will return to Chatham Islands later on to try his "fisherman's luck" once more. Mr. Odey gave a reporter an account of his exciting experience!). He stated that in company with Robert .Smiley, another Oamaru fisherman, and Bert plough, a Pitt Islander, lie was engaged in fishing for the Chatham Island Fisheries Company. The launch measured 30 feet in length and 8 feet in breadth, and was fitted with a five horse-power engine, and had only been taken down to the Islands by Mr. Odey on August 24. They left Owenga. on a fishing cruito around the rocky coast of Pitt Island, and all went well until Monday, September 25, when they were caught iu a strong northerly gale, which raised _ a terrific sea in the strait separating Pitt Island from the main island, and they were unable to gel. buck to Owenga. They ran the launch round to the leoside of Pitt Island, and went for shelter into Goodman's .Harbour, which was supposed to be entirely safe in any weather. On Wednesday night it blew a hard southerly gale, and raised a dangerous sea, which prevented tho party from getting their launch out through the narrow entrance to the harbour. On Saturday the wind blew with terrific force, the gale being tho worst that had been known at Chatham Islands for many years. The position of the fishermen was now an exceedingly dangerous one. Tho little harbour was completely land-locked;-there was no safo landing place, high, cliffs and jagged rocks extending all round. The gale drove tremendous seas in through the tiny entrance and the water was literally piled up in the littlo cove until it was fully thirty feet above the ordinary high-water mark. The launch dragged her moorings and was driven ashore, being completely smashed to pieces on the jagged basis of the cliffs. Finding it impossible to save the launch tho men took to their 29-foot whale-boat, and attempted a landing on tho most favourable spot they could find. There was nothing for it, but to run into tho low rocks. ■ The three men managed to scramble ashore safely, but the whaleboat was pounded to pieces on the rocks. Mr. Odey and his mates made their way to a settler's house vrliero they were weil cared for and hospitably treated. Thev spent their time sheep-shearing and pig-hunting until the Himitangi called at Pitt Island on October 10. twenty-three days since they had left Owenga, and took then oil. Mr. Odey estimates the loss of tkb launch, tho whale-boat and fishing gear at over ,£250, but ho is regarding tho matter philosophically, and says he is thankful, to havoescaped with his life.