SWIM FOR LIFE

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 457, 15 June 1937, Page 6

SWIM FOR LIFE

YACHT OWNER’S ORDEAL Wave Swamps Dinghy Press Association —Copyright. Whangarei, June 13. Thrown into the water when hie dinghy was swamped half a mile from land alt Urquhart’s Bay late last night Mr Walter Woolcott Watson, aged abouk 50 years, a well_known farmer, of Tutukaka, had a. desperate struggle to reach the shore and was later found in a beach cottage. With his two tons, Mr Waltson left Tutukaka yesterday morning in his 32ft. keel yacht and anchored for the night at Urquhart’s Bay. Aboujt 10 o’clock he and his son Cecil went ashore in the dinghy for more fresh waiter, the other son, Ashley, remaining on the yacht. While ashore WUlt_ ton thought it w’ould be safer to return to the yacht owing ito the heavy weather and let out more mooring line. While Cecil remained ashore in search for fresh water Mr Watson rowed toward /the yacht. Giving his story tojttay, Mr Watson said that a particularly large sea came over the dinghy and quickly swamped it. Although he attempted to cling to the dinghy another squall caught it. and it disappeared. His predicament was desperalte. He was heavily clothed 'and at least halt ' a mile from land, the water was icy cold and there was a strong ebb tide. Fortunsltely he -found an oar floating by and with it under one arm he set out for the shore. Although Mr Watson is a strong swimmer, and freed himself of most of his clashing he was so exhausted when he finally reached the beach that he could not stand. However, after resting a while he managed' to crawl tn one of the bachs. When he received no answer Ito his faint cries for help he broke a low window and tall exhausted through it to a bedstead, which was underneath. There he was discovered by his (two sons