LAUNCH WRECKED

Hokitika Guardian, 24 July 1933, Page 6

LAUNCH WRECKED

MISHAP ON GREYMOUTH BAR ".TRAWLER.; NILE IN COLLISION GREYMOUTH, July 24. AVlmt could have,, easily been a double tragedy occurred on the Grey month bar at dusk last evening, when a small launch, with its two occupants was sunk as the result of a collision, in a. heavy gen, with the trawler “Nile.” The Nile bad been towing the smaller, craft, but bad dropped the line some time before flic.collision. In charge of Mr .Phil. McDonald, of Preston Road,, the “Haupuki,” as the launch was called was negotiating the bar at the same time as the trawler, when a big wave lifted it- on to the stern of the trawler, practically smashing the small -boat to pieces, and throwing McDonald, and the other occupant Air Ray. Wilson, single,, of Cobden, into the sea. Tire launch sank, but apparently striking the bottom, and: letting out the ballast, rose again about a hundred yards off, where although partly .submerged, it afforded some support to the two men, who bad. also oil drums to keep them afloat.

The Nile, which suffered damage to the stern, proceeded on her way up the river, where she, informed the “Amrabclle,” Messrs' Seandrett’s trawler, which was tied up at the wharf, what ' ‘had occurred. The Annabelle, immediately put down the river, but by the time that she reached the men, who, had drifted well tip the North Reach, they, had been nearly three-quarters of an hour ill. the water and were “all-in” when hauled aboard the trawler, where they were put t 0 bed and given massage and stimulants. A fortunate occurrence in connection with the accident was that Mrs McDonald, who was with her husband, was transferred. to the Nile before either of the boats attempted to cross the liar, probably because it was thought that there was danger in the small boat crossing in such a heavy sea.. Had she still been <,n the boat when it sunk., she may have found difficulty in keeping herself afloat for ‘'the! three-quarters of an hour. On the other hand, Mr Wilson, who .was on the ill-fated boat, had left his own launch anchored outside, on account of 'engine trouble and got a lift in Donald!' ’ - ~. L , ....

When the-', boats went- "' tlje ; "bar ; -was fairly calm, but' Hogan 'to' make about mid-day, and by late afternoon hack become very rough. .Just before the boats' attempted to come in, the “bar-dangerous” signal had been up, but had been taken down prior to the accident. , -'Tile Nile, whicli" is owned by •Mr Gy.Veale ; carried himself, and Messrs . . Peter and Percy Veale, . and YVMayne. Beyond a bashing at the point pf impact, the ■ very- severe to Tier.ffiMeirAvJifciJ. •was wrecked, was uninsured. kC The 'crew of the, v - Ampibelle . bgdan ;unenviable task _ jin going rescue.- The heavy seay in• fact',--made the negotiating of .the bar nothing short 1 of dangerogsy rescue of the men was made awkward by' the fact, that they Trad ~ drifted fn toward the beach’.'.' An attempt was made to get a line 0 11 to the submerged launch, but:, it l - proved impossible.