AUCKLAND STORM

Hokitika Guardian, 29 April 1932, Page 6

AUCKLAND STORM

YACHTS SMASHED

EXTENSIVE DAMAGE DONE. (By Telegraph —Per Press Association) AUCKLAND. April 28. Two yachts and a large launch were pounded to pieces in a fierce easterly gale which struck Auckland this morn-

A number of other boats came ashore, and were damaged. Telephone communication with the north was disorganised. ;

All work on the waterfront was interrupted. At times the wind blew with great fury, and the sea tin the harbour was the stormiest experienced tor several years.

Disaster came to the crack Star class yacht “June” soon after daybreak. The boat, which wa.s owned by Mr A. W. Tamlin, Rear-Commodore of the Devonport Yacht Club, snapped hoi mooring chain, and pi'ed up on the rocks off King Edward Parade, Devonport. Nothing could be done to save the boat, and within an hour she was badly shattered. At about eight o dock the yacht 'began to break up, and she was soon a total wreck. Her mast was the only thing saved.

The parting of her mooring chain was .also responsible for the keel yacht “Inis” coming ashore on the waiterfront road breastwork. As the tide rose the seas continually broke over the yacht, which soon became littered with seaweed. At every blow the boat would shudder, and pound against the rocks, and at midday she broke up completely.

A large fishing launch, owned by Mr J. Lowe, of Kohimarama, broke away from her moorings off Kohimarama, and came ashore at the eastern end of the beach at Mission Bay. Appaiently the launch passed underneath Kohimarama wharl. Pounded by heavy seas, she 'soon broke up, and early this afternoon all that was left of her was a large pile of broken planking. There was no sign of her engine. This is the .second launch Mr Lowe has lost in a storm.

When the tide turned, there was a heavy sea running in Mission Bay. and several other small craft were being hard pint to i,t to ride out the storm. A number of other small craft got into difficulties. A keel yacht, came ashore on the beach at St. Mary s Bay. and a large launch, slightly damaged and leaking, was rescued from the stone breastwork at Bayswater.

A small yacht got into danger under the Ponsonbv wharf. •Over at Devonpon't. a ■ number ol boats other than the “June,’ which was smashed to' matchwood, were considerably damaged. The eighteen footer YDoris” turned turtle, and her decking was washed away.

A report that a, dinghy which contained two men had capsized near the (Eastern Tide Deflector was received by .the Harbourmaster, Captain Sargent, shortly after ten o’clock. A launch was dispatched to the rescue, and the men picked up. A store launch belonging to H.M.S. “Philomel” dragged ‘ her moorings shortly after midnight. She was picked up off Stanley Point, and towed to safety by the training ship's pinnace an hour later.

Two men, in a small launch, which broke away from Grakei alt daybreak, narrowly escaped being shipwrecked. The engine had broken down, and tin* launch was rapidly carried towards the Eastern Title Deflector. Fortunately the plight of the men was notic'd when a tow boat took the drifting launch tin charge. She was then dangerously near .the rocks. T lie two men said thai they had given up a.'l hope of the launch being picked up before ■she. struck.