SAFE AT HOME

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 53, 26 November 1919, Page 6

SAFE AT HOME

THE HAPPY VALLEY LAUNCH PARTY

LONG DRIFT IN COOK STRAIT

Many anxious hearts were relieved yesterday morning when the Ngakuta arrived* to find that slio had on board tho six men who went fishing off tile Ked Eocks on Sunday last, and who had siuco then been missing. The party consisted of Messrs. it. Cording, of Brooklyn, G. W. Kopple, of the Public. Works Department, J. Woods, of Lyall Bay, It. C. Dixon, Cambridge Torrace, 11. Prickling, Brooklyn, and S. Mason, Lvall Bay, and when picked up by the Ngakutu, about 0.30 &.m. yesterday, off Capo Campbell wero ioi a very, exhausted condition. Although. obviously very tired, .'and shaken, the members of tho party had recovered to a great extent by tho time they landed in Wellington. The party set out from Happy .Valley about 8 a.m. on Sunday without provisions, tho intention 'being to remain out for only a few hours at the most. After about two hours' fishing off the Ifed ltooks tho wind began to freshen, and it was thought advisable to head for shelter. Just as the boat was Hearing land the engino failed and, while investigations were being made, she drifted well out. Ultimately the engine was restarted, but even with the aid of the oars it was tlion impossible to make headway, and the little boat drifted up past Terawhiti. Although the seas ivere unpleasantly largo for such a small cratt—a 22ft. open row boat fitted with nn en-gine-7-n6' great anxiety was felt at this stago. particularly as, later in tho day, the drift was back towards the Heads. Tho boat came right back to Capo Palliser, and during Sunday night on ondeavour was made to keep in to the shelter of the Orongo Orongo Hills. An emergency mil was manufactured from • fivo sugar bags, and then the heavy wind took the party into tho rip. When they realised that they were at tho mercy of this powerful current some of the party became far, from hopeful, but with the aid of tho crazy sail an. attempt was made to keep on a course that would finish somewhere along the northern const of the South Island. At ono time four big sens were shipped in succession. All dny Monday the tait was carried at tho mercy of tho elements, and *by tho afternoon was not far from Knikourn. Then tho party wore taken far enough north again to pick up the light at Capo Cr.mpbell. • The hopes of the Tittle party revived at the sight of the light, and strenuous endeavours were made to reach tho land, but tho current was again against them, and several - attempts proved useless. During tho whole of Monday'night, two men in relays pulled at tho oars, and tho light was kept in view. A steamer passed closo during tho night, but failed to see them or to hear their cries. Early yesterday, morning, what was 'taken to be tho ferry 6teamor from tho south was sighted, but Sho was too far off to see them. Between G a.m. and 7 a.m. the Ngakuta hove in sight, and, noticing that the sail seemed of son.ewhat curious manufacture, made an investigftion. Tho six men were taken aboard in a very exhausted condition. They wero ravonously hungry and thirsty, and care had to bts taken as to what was given them.

The Ngakuta immediately put about and returned to Wellington. The men were fit' onough to como ashore in their own boat fi'om where the. steamer anchored in the stream, ami, when they landed wore as unconcerned, in the main, as if they had just returned from the merest pleasure jaunt. The Ngakuta resumed her interrupted trip to Greymouth.