YACHT CAPSIZES

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, 22 November 1927, Page 3

YACHT CAPSIZES

SUDDEN GUST OF WIND CATCHES SAIL

THREE MEN THROWN INTO SEA

ONE SAVED—TWO BELIEVED

DROWNED.

/Per Press Association). Auckland, Nov. 21. Tragedy befel a 12-foot mullet yacht half an hour after it weighed anchor at Milford about 4 o’clock on Saturday afternoon, a sudden gust of wind filling the sail just as the tack was being changed with the, result that the yacht capsized, throwing thethree men aboard into the sea. After clinging to the upturned boat until darkness descended thev discarded all their clothing and two swam for Rangitoto Island, while the third made for Mototapu Island. Ono of the two who attempted to reach Rangitoto dragged himself ashore about 9 o’clock, and alone and naked wandered about the island in an exhausted state until fie was discovered by a quarryman about 5 o’clock this evening. Nothing has been heard or seen of the man who made for Moto, tapu Island and it is believed that he, with the other man, was drowned. The missing are:

William Williams, aged 28 married. residing with his wife and familv at Purchase road. Takapuna, who was an AH Black League representative.

James Bowman, aged 35, married, a City Council employee, residing with his wife and family at Pupuke road, Takapuna. The sole survivor is Stanley John Easdown, aged 48, married, residing with his wife and family at Rawniti Avenue, Takapuna,

ATTEMPT TO ROW TO DEVONPORT.

In a leaking dinghy the qunrryman who found Easdown attempted to row to Devonport to notify the police. When halfway across the channel he was sighted by the steamer Clansman, bound for Whangarei, which was just making for the heads Once aboard he told his story which was wirelessed to the IYA broadcasting station, from where it was telephoned to the Queen’s Wharf police. Within an hour a launch was sent to the island and about two hours later Easdown was being medically attended in Auckland. His condition is not serious, in spite of his trying experience.