Rude Awakening for Fisherman

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 655, 6 May 1929, Page 16

Rude Awakening for Fisherman

BLOWN THROUGH HATCH EXPLOSION ON LAUNCH (From Our Own Correspondent) THAMES, To-day. To be hurled from his bunk through the open hatch of a launch on to the deck, was the experience of Mr. George Lomas, at Thames, yesterday morning. At 4 o'clock yesterday morning Mr. Campbell Hiklaro went aboard the fishing launch Escort to make ready tor the day’s fishing. He struck a match to light the hurricane lamp, and simultaneously a violent explosion occurred, which sent Mr. Hikiaro hurtling through the open doorway. Mr. Lomas, who sleeps "on the launch, was just rising when the force of the explosion deposited him with a thud on the deck. Mr. Hikiaro lost his eyebrows and his face was burned. Mr. Lomas escaped with a few bruises. Both men lost their belongings. The fire brigade was summoned and the fire was suppressed. The launch, which was tied to the Shortland Wharf, was damaged to the extent of £IOO, and was not insured. The explosion was due to the leakaboardf beDZine ' nlne tln3 beia S „ Th ® Escort is owned and run by Mr. Morgan Hayward, the well-known representative footballer.