YACHT IN GALE

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 2, 4 January 1932, Page 3

YACHT IN GALE

AN EXCITING TRIP

"NEVER IN ANY DANGER"

Although the Wellington yacht Nanette appeared to bo in difficulties when she was sighted off the coast between Turakirae Head and the entrance to the harbour yesterday, according to those on board—Messrs. G. Inns, J, Collins, J. Lawson, and J. Maddever— they were never in any danger. Ths Nanette proved herself a splendid seaboat in the heavy seas and rain squalls. 'After that we feel we could go through anything," remarked Mr. Inns to-day.

The Nanette loft Jackson's Bar Tory Channel, at about 5.15 yesterdavmorning under trysail with two' reefs in. The wind at that time was fresh from the north-west. At about 7.30 the yacht was off Sinclair Head, but the land was obscured by heavy raia •quails ana the wind was almost at gale torce, and the crew headed south for * while and then changed the course to fetch Bannjj Head, which was sighted through the squalls about 9 o'clock. Another reef was put in, and the Nanette ran down across Palliser Barto Turakirae Head with the weatheV starting to clear, although the teas were still heavy. Some difficulty was experienced in beating back against the tide, and about 3.15 p.m. the Nanette was anchored in Palliser Bay and the crew had tea. About 6 o'clock a light southerly sprang up, and with the engine going the return journey • was resumed. At the Heads the Nanette was met by the launch Vai-iii, with several local yachtsmen on board, but assistance was not required until Point Halswell was reached, whan the petrol supply for the Nanette's engine ran out and the yacht became becalmed. Bhe was towed into the Boat Harbour at about 11 o'clock last evening by th« yacht Shamrock.,

Despite the nonchalant view -taken of their experience by the Nanette's crew, those who saw the yacht from the shore yesterday morning and during the early afternoon were by no means easy in their minds regarding the safety of the yachtsmen. At times the yacht was lost to sight in the heavy seas and squalls, and once it • was thought she was foundering: However when the Shaw, Savill and Albion liner Matakana arrived in port from Nap le r early in the aftenwon, it was reported that ,the yacht was not in difficulties, although she was making heavy weather of the beat aerosa Palhser Bay.