KETCH IN UGLY SEAS

Evening Star, Issue 22450, 22 September 1936, Page 6

KETCH IN UGLY SEAS

LDHG PASSAGE FROM SUNDAY ISLAND [Feb United Press Association.] AUCKLAND, September 21. Lashed by fierce squalls and with her decks continually swept by heavy breaking seas, the 50ft Australian ketch Yvonne arrived at Auckland after a stormy and prolonged passage from Sunday Island, one of the Kermadec Group. Last Wednesday, four days before that rugged promontory of Cuvier Island was first sighted from the deck of the yacht, the wind was westerly and of gale force, and there was a heavy swell running from the east. The little vessel was close-hauled, but could make little progress. Typical of Norwegian pilot boats, the Yvonne has very fine lines both fore and aft. She is sturdily rigged, and impresses as one of the most seaworthy craft to have visited port for some time. Her running gear was bleached white with salt, her spars were chafed, but she was undamaged. Leaving Sydney on July 30, the Yvonne crossed the Tasman in one of its ugliest moods and arrived at Pareugarenga some 15 days later. She was beached for cleaning and painting, and left Parengarenga on August 19 for Sunday Island. Fair winds and fine weather were experienced, and she arrived at the island within seven days. The weather broke soon after her arrival at the island, however, and for four days the ketch had to be manoeuvred and kept on the lee side of the land. On the fourth day a landing was made and stores were taken ashore.

The crew comprised H. R. Sorenson (master), J. E. King (mate), J. Boshier (cook), A. Venables. R. Ashwood, and D. Angus. Venables, Ashwood, and Angus were left on the island. They are to investigate the possibilities of making the island into a self-supporting colony. Leaving Sunday Island favoured with a fresh breeze, the Yvonne showed her true sailing qualities. She covered 230 miles, approximately one-third of the distance to Auckland, in a little over a day, but from then on strong head winds were encountered.