LAUNCH CAUGHT BY WAVE

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 93, 6 May 1937, Page 6

LAUNCH CAUGHT BY WAVE

Two Napier Fishermen Escape SLOW TOWING PROCESS Venturing too close to the . beach near Awatoto yesterday morning. a 28foot ■ fishing launch, the property of Mr Samuel Hawkins, Westshore, was oapsized and sunk by a large wave. After some dirficultv, two other fishing launehes secured the sunken vessel in tow and returned it to Port Ahuriri. where it wai bearhed. The launch was being worked by two voung men, who apparently misjudged their position in regard to the beach The vessel was thrown violently forward by a large wave and immediately filled and eank. At the cost of a wetting the occupants scrambled ashore, b'ttle the worse for their mishap. . Later in the morning, two other fishng launehes, which were operatiua with lnngn lines nearby,' came to the snot. The men in cliarge, Messrs -Tchn Wilson and James Pieone. secured a •ine to the how of the sunken vessel. if which nart was showing ahove th» water, and nroceeded at a slow speed foward the Port. At first, a moderate speed was made. hut later the towed vefesel sank deeper ;n thp water, thus retarding proirress. \s the procession passed the Breakvater. the tip of the mast was the inly portion of the rear vessel visihle from Glasgow Whnrf. where an inter^qtpr] crowd had eollected. The .launch " was heacbed at Port Ahuriri, but no estimate of tho damnge done can be formed until it is - drawn out of tbe water and bailed out at low t'de. It is anticipated that, anart from the starting of a few olunks the vessel has not suffered. Following their salvage work. the two rescuing launehes returned to the beach to recover their lines.