ADIRIFT IN A LAUNCH.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3691, 15 September 1927, Page 2

ADIRIFT IN A LAUNCH.

UNENVIABLE EXPERIENCE OF

FOUR MEN.

Three Natives and a European, residents of Wanganui, have had a very anxious time for the past few days. They were out fishing in a 50 ft. launch, and on attempting to return to Wanganui, the bar could not be negotiated, and then to add to their troubles the engine went amiss, and they were obliged to drift. For four days they worked at the engine, but failed to right it. In the meantime they drifted, and with no food aboard they were in a bad way. The launch eventually drifted towards Kapiti Island, and the occupants, after seeing a light, lost no time in going ashore. Here they received hospitality at the hands of the Webber family, while young Webber attended to the engine. The return journey was attempted on Monday but again engine trouble was experienced and the party attempted to reach Foxton under sail but did not make the port until 10 a.m. yesterday. The vessel is now tied up at the jetty, where it will remain until the engine has been completely overhauled, when the last stage of the journey will be undertaken. In conversation with T. Potaka this morning, our representative was informed that on Wednesday of last week the launch left Wanganui. Those aboard were S. Bowman (owner), Hapi Hogg, Wiri Heremaia and T. Potaka, the three latter being Maoris. The object of the cruise was for fishing. The launch was equipped with two engines. Engine trouble was experienced, and the launch drifted. The meagre food and water supply was soon exhausted, and for three days and nights' they were without food and water, “and no tobacco; that was the worst of all,” added Potaka. Filially they made Kapiti, and were hospitably treated by those on the island and the fishermen. The engine was fixed, and they started on their homeward trip, but off Foxton and miles out to sea on Tuesday night, the engine again failed. They finally picked up the water tower, and after some diffijCulty negotiated the bar yesterday. Mr Bowman proceeded to Wanganui, and will return with an engineer. Potaka stated that their experiences were very tryihg.

The paty were hospitably treated by Captain Larsen and Maoris at the local seaside.