LAUNCH PARTY'S PLIGHT.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4651, 21 January 1924, Page 2

LAUNCH PARTY'S PLIGHT.

HIGH SEAS AND ENGINE TROUBLE

DINGHY' SAVES SITUATION.

A party of men, comprising Messrs E. A. McLeay, John Hamil, Bert Green (all of Waihi), and two Maoris, had an adventurous experience last week (states the Waihi Telegraph). On the previous day they left Ma'aura Bay in a small launch, owned .by Mr'Green, for Port Whangamnta, experiencing a pleasant run along the coast to Whangamata Harbour., where they landed and spent the evening. .

The following day, after leaving the beautiful and well sheltered harbour, they encountered a rough sea., and when off Waimunga engine trouble began, which, with the big seas, threatened to swamp their, little craft. Fortunately Mr Wm. Carter saw their predicament and set out in a linghy to their assistance, and through his able seamanship got the launch safely moored between two big rocks.

Two hours later, with the sea moderating, the party, with the exception of Mr Hamil, who fortunately derided to ride overland to Mataura., boarded the launch and set off for Mataura Bay. The sea was .still rough and water Was -shipped fiom time to time. Opposite the bay a storm, which rose in a matter of minutes, suddenly struck them, and the little launch was seriously thioatened by the high seas which quickly sprang up.

Again Mr Wm. Carter appeared on the scene and went to the launch’s rescue, and it was only by his expert knowledge that the men were rescued and the ultimate safe landing of the launch through a terrible surf was accomplished. Two sailors from the Chatham, on holiday leave, who witnessed the incident, declared that Carter’s feat was,, in the circumstances., a remarkable one.