FISHERMEN’S PLIGHT

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1003, 20 June 1930, Page 12

FISHERMEN’S PLIGHT

NARROW ESCAPE FROM DROWNING LAUNCH AND DINGHY LOST From Our Oxen Correspondent "VVAIHI, Today. Three fishermen, Charles George. Alfred Mcßride and Stanley Blade, had a narrow escape from drowning when the dinghy in which they were putting out to their launch anchored just off Waihi Beach, capsized in the rollers during a south-easterly gale shortly after dark last evening. The three men were rescued in an exhausted state. They had been in Waihi during the day selling fish and it was dark when they reached the beach and decided to put out to their launch. They lost sight of the dinghy in the darkness when it capsized and swam toward the nearest rocks where the cliffs are very recipitous. Had their plight not been oticed by persons on the shore they rould in all probability have been rowned. Rescuers made their way to the cliffs lown which they climbed at considerble risk, and it was only after very trenuous efforts that they were able o get the men on the rocks, which the xhausted swimmers could not hold. All three men were bruised and badlj’ juffeted and Mr. George was in the ast stagey of exhaustion. Further misfortune befell the men ater, when the launch broke away and vas dashed to pieces on the rocks. It contained all their plant and provisions ind they will be heavy losers.