FISHING LAUNCH MISSING

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 189, 7 May 1940, Page 9

FISHING LAUNCH MISSING

Anxiety For Its Safety

LEFT FOXTON HEADS ON FRIDAY

Dominion Special Service.

FOX-TON, May 6.

Anxiety is felt for the safety of the fishing launch Madge, which left Manawatu Heads on Friday morning for the fishing grounds and has not been heard of since. The vessel, which belongs to Mr. S. R. Austin, was under the command of Mr. C. Jensen, who has been carrying out commercial fishing for the owner for several years. Mr. Jensen was accompanied by Mr. Albert Ernest Sands and his son, Mr. Thomas Sands, who have been working with him since Mr. R. Bickers parted company with Mr, Jensen to go overseas with the First Echelon.

The Madge is a 35-foot fishing boat, built for the job and powered with a Diesel motor and is particularly well found and equipped. She is a good sea boat. Last month, however, the gearbox gave trouble while the launch was outside, but Mr. Jensen was able to reach the river The faulty mechanism was then taken out of the boat, which was laid up while repairs were effected in Wellington. After being refitted the boat has been engaged in its usual occupation, and no, further trouble had occurred. The crew of the boat were anxious to visit Wellington on Saturday for _ the closing of the Exhibition, and on Friday the Madge put out from the beach at 4 a.m. to fish. She returned on the same tide witli fish and again left, which was an unusual procedure. Since then nothing has been heard of her whereabouts. The wliares occupied by Mr. Jensen ana Mr. Sands and his son are unlocked and their fishing nets are lying about in a manner which suggests that they had no intention of staying away on Friday.

Fitted With Sails.

No anxiety was felt when the boat did not return on Friday .night, as the weather was calm. Saturday was the same, with an easterly wind, but Saturday night, and yesterday a fairly stiff westerly blew and there was a fair sea The Mndge is fitted with sails which could be used in case of a breakdown ot the engine. All coastal ports have been communicated with by Mr. Austin. Ohakea aerodrome was telephoned this morning anti a flight of machines was sent out to search the sen off the const. The m.v. Hokitika arrived off the bar on Saturday morning from the West Coast, but apparently saw no sign ot the launch. She was unable to get m then and put into Kapiti, returning to the bar this morning, but no report was received from her regarding the missing launch. » i 'There is a certain amount ot tinned food on board the Madge, but it is thought that there would be little water and no bread. The launch is fitted with cooking apparatus and a wireless receiving, set. Mr. Jensen has had fairly extensive experience of the coast and on more than one occasion he. has been unable, to get back to the bench and has put into Kapiti till the weather has moderated. It is chiefly because he has not. been reported at Kapiti that anxiety is felt.