DRIFTING AT SEA

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 405, 14 December 1932, Page 5

DRIFTING AT SEA

(Press Assn.-

TWO MEN RESCUED PICKED UP BY A TRAMP STEAMER IN COOK STRAIT LAUNCH BREAKS DOWN

-By Telegraph — Copyrlght)

Wellington, Tuesday. After drifting helplessly with a hroken-down engine nearly all day, and when hopes of rescue were rapidly vanishing, two men in a 20-foot launch were fortunate enongh to be sighted and picked up this afternoon by the tramp steamer, Newton Elm, when about seven mile out to sea off Pencarrow Head. The Newton Elm, which was passing through Cook Strait on a voyage from Auckland to Westport, brought them to the vicinity of the harbour entrance, where they were transf erred to the Government steamer, Janie Seddon and brought to port. The two men aboard the launch, G. Hudson and C. Usher, both of Petone, left Paremata in the launch about four o'cloek for Petone. When they were off Sinclair Head the engine stopped due to water reaching the magneto. They drifted until 3.30 •this afternoon when they were sighted by the Newton Elm. During the rescue operations, a plank of the launch was'stov-e in and the craft cast adrift. The rescued men highly praised the seamanship of the Newton Elm captain, officers and crew, and expressed gratitude for the great kindness received.