LAUNCH MISSING

Hokitika Guardian, 26 September 1933, Page 5

LAUNCH MISSING

CREW OF FOUR WRECKAGE COMES ASHORE. (Per Press Association — Coyjrght.) WELLINGTON, September 25. A search conducted on sea, land and air has failed to locate the launch “Sa-ntina” from the Island Bay fishingfleet, which was caught in the strong southerly gale when her engine broke down 'near Baring Head early this morning. Grave fear’s for the safety of .her cre.w, were entertained when pieces of wreckage, believed to be part of the missing launch, the “Sa-ntina, > Were washed up at Breaker Bay during this afternoon.

About the time tint the “Toia” left tile wharves, at ten o’clock, the trawler “Futurist” was pas s ing in the vicinity of Baring Head, but she saw nothing of the “Santina.” she was about four miles off the point, and the visibility was poor owing to there being a big sea running, and to passing showers of rain

The “.Santina,” a motor kwiofo o' about 22 feet long, driven by a sir teen h.p. Standard engine, is owned by Mr Y. Costa, Trent Street, Island Bay, who was among 'those on -board. In addition to two other Italians, the crew included a youth, Ron Alley, aged about seventeen years, who had only recently joined the boat. After the “Toia” returned to port at 1.10 p.m., without having s een anything of the “Santina,”. it was decided to make a search by air, and at about 2.20 p.m., Flight-Lieutenant J. B. Bolt, accompanied 'by Mr K. Anderson, left Rongotai -Aerodrome iln one of the Wellington Aero Club’s Gipsy Moth machines, to look fo» the Launch. Flight-,Lieutenant Bolt returned at 3.15 p.m., and reported that he had searched the coast uo to where Wairare.pa Lake enters Palliser Bay, and had seen nothing of the launch.

those ABOARD. There were three men and a boy of fifteen on board the launch. The crew comprised Vinesco Costa, aged 50 (skipper), of 24. Trent Street, Island Bay. Paslo Penozzo, aged 42, of 11 Trent Street, Island Bay. Gen ever e Amitrano, aged 40, of 18 Reef Street, Island Bay. Ronald Frank Alley, aged 15, of 18 Reef Street, .Island Bay.. .. . > The search will be continued' tomorrow at daybreak. Mr A. DelLabarca, of Eastbourne, accompanied by a mu-mber of residents from Island Bay, will leave for Percarrow Lighthouse to comb the coast in that vicinity. Other parties .will leave in -.launches from Island Bay.