Two Men Adrift on Blazing Launch

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 542, 20 December 1928, Page 10

Two Men Adrift on Blazing Launch

RESCUED BY PILOT BOAT C-feOe E CALL OFF CHELTENHAM Forced from their blazing launch to take refuge in a small dinghy which rocked perilously • n a heavy sea, two men, the crew of the launch Lone Star, had a narrow escape in the Rangitoto Channel last evening. An attempt at rescue by a boat crew from Narrow Neck and the rescue effaced by the pilot launch Waitemata, were aleo spectacular inctdents in a thrilling episode. The vessel was owned by Messrs. Compton and Morrison, of Auckland, and Mr. Neil Compton, of Ardmore Road, Herne Bay, and Mr. W. Kirman, of 73 Nelson Street, comprised the crew. The Lone Star, a launch of 40 tons, left Auckland for Arkles Bay at 5.30 last evening with a cargo of coal, coke, benzine, empty milk cans, and camping gear for holiday-makers, and was fairly low in the water. Entering the Rangitoto Channel, the launch encountered a fairly heavy wind from the north and commenced to ship water. Progress was slow, as the engine was continually being drenched with water. Oft Takapuna the engine stopped completely, just as the crew had decided to turii back to Auckland.

Buffeted beam on in a heavy sea the launch was in a precarious position. As the tide and wind carried the Lone Star toward North Head, Mr. Compton endeavoured for nearly an hour to start the engine. Finally it backfired, and, it is believed, a spark found its way to the benzine tank.

BURST INTO FLAMES According to the crew, the engine instanly flared up and set the wood-

work of the cabin alight. Desperate attempts were made to stop the spread ot the flames, and the case benzine

rid other inflammable cargo was immediately thrown overboard. Shortly before the flames were visible from the shore the signalman on duty at Mount Victoria had observed that the launch was in difficulty, and the pilot launch Waitemata was immediately despatched from Devonport. The men had now taken to the dinghy, and both it and the blazing launch had drifted to a point off Cheltenham Beach when the Waitemata faced up and picked the men up. Also in the boat with them was a thoroughly terrified terrier, which had been in the launch and which Mr. Kirman rescued from the cabin before taking to the dinghy. Night had fallen and the blazing launch lit up the sea for some distance, attracting a large crowd on Cheltenham Beach. The empty milk cans on the launch could plainly be seen from the shore, and the fact that by many they were mistaken for the crew added to the anxiety of the crowd.

The launch, still blazing merrily, finally went ashore on the rocks at North Head, facing Rangitoto. The Waitemata afterwards returned to the spot, and when the flames had burned themselves out a hole was made in the bull to ensure it sinking should it drift of? the rocks.

Another launch hired by the firm left Auckland shortly before the Lone Star, and it was first decided that that launch should take the dinghy. Fortunately it was letf for the Lone Star. It is understood that the launch was covered by insurance but not the cargo. THRILLING SPECTACLE A Sun man noticed the launch going down the harbour as he was crossing to Devonport. It was travelling slowly and the issue of smoke from the exhaust was remarked on. At 7.15 the newspaper man looked out of his window at Narrow Neck and saw the launch well over, toward Rangitoto. It was apparently not under control, and dense smoke was issuing from it. Suddenly flames burst out amidships, and rapidly increased in intensity. A dinghy with two people in it was drifting in the big sea close to the launch. On Narrow Neck Beach a large and excited crowd soon gathered, and it was decided to send a boat out in case the men in the dinghy should require assistance. Delay occurred, as no oars could be found. Finally a boat with an outboard engine, and manned by Messrs. < 'apper, Hay and Chivers, set out through the big surf. Strenuous efforts were made to start the engine, Mr. Hay straining at the oars while this was being done. The breakers, however, were too powerful for the boat to make any headway, and as the engine would not start and the boat became swamped, the attempt had to be abandoned. Directly the fire was noticed a Narrow Neck resident notified the Harbour Board, and just as the boat crew was considering putting on another engine, the Harbour Board launch Waitemata was seen coming round North Head, and consequently it was decided not to make any further attempt at rescue. By this time the launch, with dinghy and occupants, had drifted almost to Cheltenham Beach, where they were picked up by the Waitemata. It was light when the launch was first seen, but by the time the Waitemata rescued the men night had fallen and the flames made a great blaze.