BOAT WRECKED

Hokitika Guardian, 25 February 1933, Page 2

BOAT WRECKED

Lone voyage' across pacific

REBELL HARSHLY TREATED

SUVA, February 16. Mr Fred Rebell, who accomplished the astonishing feat of crossing- the Pacific in a small 16ft liall’-decked sailing 'boat, has in. a letter written to Mr W. MeCreedie, ’’of Suva, given KOlll e news 'of his arrival and “reception” in California. ' “I have reached California at last,” says Mr Rebell. “Sailed into Los Angeles harbour a,t 2 a-.m: on Sunday, January 8, and tied up to a mooring near Cabrillo Bleach. T felt like pinching myself to see I was not dreaming, but had actually completed my sea •journey. For the< last few weeksi in December I. met with very heavy gales and at times thought lj would never see them through. But Providence has bc-en kind to me.

“However, the third night I was jn tho harbour—a heavy gale sprang up, tore my boat off its moorings, and, with the anchor dragging, threw it on the, beach. , About thirty other boats followed mine, and two lives were lost. 1 managed!to save all my belongings) and even myi boat would have been O.K.' had .not a navy lunch come long, broken its bowsprit and damaged it gmost beyond repair. “I was. ccflnpelled to take up residence asliprg, and a few days later was arrested bv the U.S. authorities (Ini-

migration/ DepaHment) for overstaying my time in tli« States. In Honolulu they hail passed me as a seaman on a two months’ permit, and though I only stayed there five weeks, the remaining time that I spent on the high

| seas, apparently was considered as a l sojou rn in the .States. Luckily for me j the i Press and a few friends took my side, and a week later I was released,

but! may be ordered to leave the coni .try at a month’s notice. And—my; boat stove in by their navy.