ADRIFT IN LAUNCH.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 May 1924, Page 1

ADRIFT IN LAUNCH.

PARTY’S ORDEAL IN COOK STRAIT. AUCKLAND, -May S. Something of tho ordeal suffered by a launch party, which drifted for two nights and u day in Cook Strait, can be gathered from the story of their rescuer, Capt. J. Bruce; who brought the Coritina into Onolwnga this eveiti”r-

When sighted, the launch was adrift in the heavy setts that were running in the Strait; her rudder smashed, Iter ports stove in, and with no sail. Those aboard her, two men, their wives, and two little children, were at their last gasp. They had been -without food or water since 3 p.m. on Sumlay, and were soaked by the* constant onset of tlu* wintry sea. For two nights they hail not even the comfort of a light because every match was soaked. Even the dinghy they were towing had broken away, and left them, the sport of the waves, lashed by driving hail and rain, but animated still by hope, however orlorn.

Their distress signal was a fragment, torn from, one of the men’s shirts. It u*jis this rag on the tumbling waste of waters that caught the eye of the Chief Officer, Air Boyle, on the bridge of the Comma, outward hound from Pit-ten. The steamer was then 12 miles north of Stephens’s Island, north again from d’Urville Island, and well out in the Strait. Had she been an hour earlier she would have passed tho launch in the dark.

Captain Bruce came round and bv 7 a.m. had a line aboard the launch, hut the party wanted more than a tow. They were /a misting for food and drintc and wanted dry clothes mu'; warmth. AYOAIEN TAKEN OFF.

It was difficult il* the heavy sea to bring the launch alongside, but all the crew eagerly seconded their officers’ directions. With tlio aid of two lines, one on a winch, and by skilful manoeuvring on the part of the Corinna, the launch was alongside at 8 a.m. The third officer and boatswain jumped on to her deckhouse and handed up ihe women and children, the men seramb.ling aboard themselves. The* Corinna then headed hack to Titrangi to land the refugees.

Strangely enough it was the two children, aged each about 2J years, who were least exhausted. One of the women collapsed on deck, and had to he carried below. Chief Steward Rothschild had the wot clothes of the rescued party taken to the engine-room to dry while warm baths, blankets and snug bunks were found, and the famished party plied with hot food. The two children, a hoy and a girl, were soon sound asleep, forgetful of their long List, when they had cried for water or milk.

“What of their ordeal in the helpless launch?” Captain Bruce was ask-

“AVc did not hear much of that,” he replied. “People have generally few wards to say just after a terrible experience. They- were all in very wet and in a weak condition, and had hardly time to realise from what they had escaped. One of the men told me that they had almost abandoned hope. “ONE OF.THE WORST BLOWS.”

“Sunday night was tho worst time. On Saturday night and Sunday there was a tearing sou’-caster, with squalls of hail. I was out in it. and it was one of the worst blows I have met in the Strait. Those people on the launch were quite .it the mercy of the waves, which came over every now and then, filled the cockpit, and necessitated constant baling. There was a littlje cabin, but parts of it were stove in. and this prevented the women ami children from getting much shelter. The dinghy was gone, and the men had not even the wherewithal to make a drag to steady the little vessel ancl keep her herd to tlie sea.

“lit this plight, from Sunday afternoon to Tuesday morning, the launch must have driited -10 miles, and not a kick could be got out of the engine. A'ou can imagine that the melt were folding helpless.”

Captain Bruce said the sea on Sunday was bad enough to compel even coastal steamers to seek shelter. He sighted four under Long Island. “I (believe everyone on board was as pleased as those poor things were themselves when we picked them tip." he concluded.

!'••<* rescued were Afr and Airs AA. AY. Wells ancl their son Charles, nml Air :,nd Mrs C. A. Tiller, and Jean Tiller. The launch was about 35 feet long, with a decked cabin covering the engine. The dinghy, which was lost, was a 12-footer.