CAPSIZED IN THE GULF

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 365, 28 May 1928, Page 1

CAPSIZED IN THE GULF

CREW STRUGGLES TO SAFETY WRECK OF THE KETCH GLENAE LONG PULL THROUGH HEAVY SEAS THE news of the safety of Captain A. H. Mitchell and Mr. O. T. McLeod, master and mate respectively of the wrecked ketch Gler.ae, was received in Auckland this morning'. After the Glenae capsized the two men managed to pull three miles in a dinghy through enormous seas to Campbell’s Island where they were compelled to remain until this morning.

The Glenae is a 13-ton ketch, and is owned by Mrs. Rose Couldrey, of Stafford Road, Northcote, and is under charter to Captain Mitchell. On Wednesday the Glenae left port for Kawau Island to load timber, and was on the way back on Saturday afternoon when the disaster occurred. Seeing a small vessel successfully weathering the heavy seas running in the gulf, the two men essayed the return trip, but had not proceeded far on their way when the ketch capsized. Both men succeeded in getting safely away in the dinghy, but were then faced with the seemingly impossible task of pulling three miles in their tiny craft through tremendous seas to Campbell’s Island. Although it was still early in the afternoon when disaster overtook the Glenae, dusk was closing in when two wet and exhausted men knocked at the door of Captain Emtage’s residence on the island. There they were hospitably cared for, and this morning, when the seas had moderated sufficiently, were taken to Warkworth. SEAS RUNNING HIGH Exceptionally rough seas were running on Friday and Saturday, the seas in Hauraki Gulf being the largest experienced for some time, and it was while battling to shelter at Waiwera later in the afternoon that Captain R. Collins, master of the schooner Jane Gifford, sighted the wreck, which had drifted inshore. Near the mouth of the Puhoi River an indistinct object was sighted near

some rocks some distance from the shore. Some difficulty was experienced in getting close enough to distinguish it clearly in the gathering gloom, but finally Captain Collins recognised it as the- Glenae. NO SIGN OF LIFE The vessel had overturned, and was being badly battered by the huge waves that were breaking into spray on the rocks.- The masts' had gone, and considerable damage had been done forward. No signs of life could be seen. Naturally considerable anxiety for the safety of the crew was felt, and immediately on arrival at Waiwera Captain Collins reported the wreck to the Warkworth police. Yesterday a constable visited the scene, but under the conditions prevailing it was found impossible to undertake a close investigation of the wreck. It was reported that although big seas were still running, the ketch was high on the rocks, and was then not being badly buffeted. An iiiSpection of the wreck, with a view to salvaging it, is being made by Captain Mitchell and Mr. McLeod this morning.

The Glenae, which is a wooden vessel, was constructed at Omaha in 1904. She was recently reconditioned and had new sails fitted. The prinicpal dimensions are: Length, 57ft.; breadth, 16ft.;_ and depth, 3ft.