FISHERMAN’S ORDEAL

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 404, 12 July 1928, Page 11

FISHERMAN’S ORDEAL

NIGHT ON ISLAND LAUNCH BATTERED ON ROCKS (Special to THE SU2TJ RUSSELL, Wednesday. To have to spend the night on an island in the wind and rain, without overcoat or shelter, and to have his launch battered to pieces on the rocks, was the experience of Mr. V. Brooker, of Russell, during the recent storm. Mr. Brooker anchored his launch, the “T.P.,” off the western end of Robinson’s Island, Bay of Islands, just before dark, and went off in the dinghy to set a schnapper line. He was overtaken by the darkness and was unable to find his way back to the launch. After rowing around in the dinghy for some time Mr. Brooker nulled to the shore and landed on a small beach on Robinson Island. He spent a mis-

erable night in the wind and rain. He had no overcoat and sheltered behind the upended dinghy, and was able to light a small fire. At daylight he set out in the dinghy to cross several miles of rough v to the mainland. He eventually reached Mr. Arnold's homestead at Paroa Bay. almost exhausted. After lie had revived he set out to walk to Russell. The launch was found battered to pieces on the rocks between Longbeach and Tapeka Point.