FISHING PARTY’S EXPERIENCE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 451, 2 March 1909, Page 3

FISHING PARTY’S EXPERIENCE.

A fishing party had a very lively experience on Friday last, between the Foxton Heads and Rangitkei river. The excursionists, numbering 11, manned Captain Shadbolt’s trim little oil launch. After clearing the Heads a north-west course was steered for several miles, and the anchor dropped. Forty snapper and a quantity ot other fish were hauled aboard. Toward afternoon the wind freshened, and Captain Shadbolt, in a stentorian voice, gave the order “ Up anchor, and make for the Foxton bar.” As there was now a good sea running, the vessel’s bead was put to sea. Everything was going smoothly and the craft making good headway, when suddenly a loud report aroused several of the sea-sick fishers, and Engineer Dunn’s voice rose above the breaking billows : “ Man the paddles, and pull for your lives !” —the cylinder had blown out. There was no sign of panic, but each face bore the expression of men who accomplish great deeds on the field of —football. Up and down the little craft rode upon the crest of the angry billows, which every moment threatened to engulf her. The thoughts which passed through the miuds of those aboard we haven’t space to chronicle. A burly form rose up from the after deck, it was none other than that of Cr Coley. Taking in the situation at a glance, and casting naval etiquette and municipal standing orders to the four winds of heaven, he commanded “Let go the mud hook !” and his orders were obeyed. The craft was now standing out near the mouth of the river. All hands cast their optics over the moving waters towards land. Anderson and mate answered the distress signals, and put off to the rescue. As the boat came alongside a number ot those aboard the launch were transferred, and a touching farewell,was said. They were safely beached. Again the boat put out in charge of Anderson and mate, and this time took off Messrs G. Coley, ,T. Gard, W. Young and a Rangitikei resident. Another touching -farewell was witnessed between the captain and the firstnamed. There was a big sea running, but all went well with the little craft until the breakers were reached, when the boat disappeared, and those aboard were cast into the vasty deep. All the watchers could see was a few heads bobbing about in the water. The boat had turned completely over. Cr Coley struck out for the shore. The others hung on to “ Weary Bill,” and gurgled “Save me.” Between them they nearly drowned him. It took some time after landing to pump the briny from the unfortunate fellow. Meanwhile, the captain, true to tradition, stood by his ship, and those wPh him spent an anxious time. The overturned boat was got ashore, and again put off, this time for the captain and remainder aboard the launch, who were safely brought to laud. The launch was safely moored yesterday-