THE YACHT ARIKI.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2075, 30 December 1907, Page 2

THE YACHT ARIKI.

STIIMDKD AT TOLAGA BAY. VESSEL THOUGHT TO BE UNDAMAGED. TUATEA TO TOW HER OFF.

The yacht Ariki, which left here oil Saturday morning on hor-return voyage to Auckland, met with a mishap at Tolaga ißay on Saturday evening. The first news received in town was by telephone yesterday, but no particulars were then available. At 7..'30 p.m., Mr. Alexander, one of the party, arrived in town to make arrangements with 'Mr. Preston, manager for the Union Company, for the yacht to be towed off, and lie kindly gave the following details to a Times reporter. The Ariki left Gisborne with the wind to tho north-east, and hard slogging was experienced. Towards evening, however, the wind fell, and the party •made for shore, not wishing to be becalmed ami have to spend the night at sea. There was no sailing-master on board, but directions were received in Gisborne as to the contour of the coast at Tolaga. The night was black as pitch, and the members of the crew e mid only see the tops of the waves breaking, and they stood well out fiom tho shore. The time was about 3 o’clock in the evening, and tho wi mg headland was turned. A depth of 31 fathoms was announced, but shortly afterwards the vessel bumped on the bottom, and it was soon evident that she had run into a sandbank. The tide was low, and tiie sandsp'ts run out further than tho chart h d them to believe. There was a com Arable roll at the time, and this rendered tlie attempts at extricating the vessel very difficult. The crew endeavored to escape from their position, but all efforts were unavailing. anti tho swell forced the boat further liu, and she is lying half-way between the entrance to the river and the south-east -end of the bay. She has a very deep keel, and at low tide she is washed from side to side, hut at high tide she is nearly floatin'-.. It is feared that the keel will lie loosened or broken off. Two anchors were dropped, but they did not hold, and puns were fired to attract attention and about midnight Mr. Holden’s launch put out and took them to shore, where they went to a hoardinghouse and silept for a couple of hours. They wero up again at 4 ii.in. yesterday, and commenced to get the stuff out. It was then seen that tho yacht was half full of water caused by tlie swell, and all the cushions. utensils, etc., were damaged. These articles and the rigging, etc., wore taken ashore and stored. The men the boat all day yesterdav to keen tilings straight. Mr. Alexander left Tolaga at 11.30 vesterday morning oil horseback, but lie was unfortunate in striking poor animals, and although he had a change at Pnkarae, he did not arrive '■p town until 7.30 p.m. He met Mr Preston, and arrangements were made to take the Tuatea up to tow her off. Tim Tuat.ea, with Air. Alexander and Air. Preston on board leaves to-day to see wliat can be done.

The present intention is to bring flip yacht to Gisborne and effect' temporary repairs, and sail ber to Auckland. It is thought that it would hr unsafe to go on to Auckland when they get her off. although she is believed to be undamaged. The keel i e sure to bo straining, and tlie exact position will have to he ascertained before proceeding. So far as is known, tlie boat war not insured. Air. Horton feels the incident very keenly, and will not go ill for another yacht if this one is rendered useless. She was built liv Messrs. Logan Bros, in 1905, and was very strongly made. The members of the party are as follow: —Alessrs. C. E; Horton. Geo. Cardno, A. Aitken, G. Buddie, H. Gordon, and T. Al. Alexander.