Valkyrie in Safety After Month at Sea

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 697, 24 June 1929, Page 1

Valkyrie in Safety After Month at Sea

YACHT REACHES SUVA FIRST STAGE OF CRUISE The 44-ton yacht Valkyrie completed the first stage of her six months’ cruise of 6,000 miles in the South Seas when she reached Suva after 32 days at sea from New Zealand. When she left Russell, where she took on water, she v/as expected to cover the 1,100 miles in six days. rjpHE vessel left Auckland at 9.30 p.m. on May 20. The following day, however, she returned to Kawau and was about the island until Thursday morning, May 22, when she finally departed from the Gulf. After 17 days without word of her arrival at Suva, anxiety was felt, and the Tofua, then leaving Suva, and other vessels in the Pacific were instructed to keep a sharp lookout for the Valkyrie. However, she was not sighted by any New Zealand-bound steamers.

At the time of her departure the Auckland coast was being thrashed by the tail end of a north-easterly storm, and it was assumed that the yacht had been blown off her course. The Auckland organiser of the cruise, Mr. C. B. Madden, however, did not share the fears for the vessel's safety, stating that there was no need to worry until the yacht was six weeks overdue.

The yacht carried a two months’ supply of provisions. She is also equipped with a wireless receiving set and has an apparatus for the construction of a transmitting set with a range of 100 miles. The yacht is owned by Captain Gilling, who is in command. Captain Townsend, aged 75, is mate and J. Martin, a 15-year-old boy, is the other member of the crew.

The passengers are Mr. E. Paget, of Epsom, owner of the Auckland yacht Maru, Mr. F. Lowe, Devonport, Miss D. Wijson, Auckland, Mrs. ScottShaw and Miss Scott-Shaw, of Manurewa, Mrs. and Miss Scott-Shaw are cruising with the party for two months only. An American joui’nalist, who will describe the yacht’s experiences on the cruise, and two other passengers, wil lhe picked up at Suva.