FOUR HOURS ALOFT

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20007, 4 August 1939, Page 6

FOUR HOURS ALOFT

AEROPLANE’S QUEST MISSING GISBORNE BOAT MAY OF PLENTY SURVEY EA UNCI I MEN ASS IST Substantial hope for the survival of the young Gisborne yachtsman, Mr. Gordon Morice, who encountered a gale oil Poverty Bay on Sunday while at sea in his craift, the Titi, is held by those in a position to judge the possibilities of the situation he faced when stress of weather prevented his gaining the shelter of any of the coast bays. Searches of the beaches beyond Tuparoa towards the East Cape have revealed no evidence that Mr. Morice’s craft was wrecked and thrown ashore, and it is believed that he may have escaped into the ooen sea beyond the Cape. In that event, he would have been blown well away from the shore, and by now should, be making Ills way back into the area through which coastal shipping passes fairly regularly. Through the good offices of Commander Sanders, Wellington, arrangements were made by the relatives of the missing man for an aeroplane search of the ‘inner Bay of Plenty area yesterday Search of Bay of Plenty An Airspeed’ Oxford plane was dis-, patched from Hobsonville air base yesterday at 10.45 a.m., and spent four hours in (the air, making a direct line from a point on the coast near Coromandel to the East Cape, and thus covering a large area of the bay. At one time the plane was 60 miles from the coastline, and after making the direct journey to East Cape the machine thoroughly scoured the sea inside the route taken on the southeast flight, visiting all the islands and headland's. The return to Hobsonville was made at about 3 p.m., and the observers reported that nothing had been seen which might be connected with the disappearance of the Titi. It was proposed that the plane should 1 make a further search to-day, an area further from the coast being allotted to the machine. The co-operaition of the Harbour Board launch from Whakatane in the search has been arranged' for, and this vessel was to leave Wlrakatane this morning, with fuel and food for an extended stay at sea. The vessel also carried wireless equipment, with which 'it will be possible for her master, Captain G. Curry, to receive news of any development which might relieve the anxiety now felt for Mr. Morice. Theories of Searchers : The search is being conducted on the theory ithait the missing yachtsman, who is an able navigator and has had some experience on the East Coasit in heavy weather, sought safety by beating seaward after failing in an effort to reach Waipiro Bay. It is assumed that his engine would not be in .condition to bring him into shelter, and that he used his sails to take the vessel clear of East Cape, towards which the gate would have carried him otherwise.

All wireless communications to the launch will be made from station IYA, Auckland, which will address the launch only in the event of any new development occurring. The aeroplane is fitted for radio communication with tlie shore, but no messages will pass between plane and launch except per medium of the broadcasting station, A Sturdy Craft The yacht for which the search has been organised is not, as was formerly stated, a converted surfboat, but was built specifically for the work in which she was engaged under a previous ownership. She had weathered many bad patches of weather while in use as a fishing vessel, and was fitted with a good tight three-quarters deck and a dry cockpit, well covered with canvas against bad weather. Mr. Gordon Morris had water aboard the yacht when he left Gisborne last Sunday, but so far as is known, he had no food with him. . The vessel carried a substantial weight of ballast, well secured in the hull, and is described by those who knew her capacities as a sound, seaworthy launch.