THREE MEN IN A BOAT

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 97, 14 October 1911, Page 5

THREE MEN IN A BOAT

EXCITING EXPERIENCES. By Tedegraph—Press Association. Christchureh. Last Night.. Whilst engaged in fishing operations at Chatham Islands last month three men, named J. Odey, R. Stnylie and A. Cough, had rather an exciting experience. Odey and Smylie have been for the past two months in the employ of the Chatham Island Fishing Company, while Cough is a resident of Pitt Island. On August 24 Odey took over to Pitt Island a 5 li.p. motor launch, 30 feet long, with a beam of eight feet, in order to start in the fishing industry with the other men. They had not long made a start when their troubles began. On Monday, September 25, when off Pitt Island, they found themselves caught in a strong southerly gale, which raised a high sea, and they decided to seek shelter as quickly as' possible. They made for Goodman's Harbor, a landlocked place about three acres in extent. There was no beach, and only the rugged cliffs encircled the foreshore. Although the spot was supposed to be entirely free from the bad elements of the weather. a southerly gale raged on the following Wednesday, and the occupants of the boat found themselves practically hemmed in. a small entrance being the only outlet to the sea. On Thursday an attempt was made to get out of the place, the water having risen at this time thirty feet above . ordinary high water mark, but their efforts 'proved futile.

On the following day one of the heaviest southerly gales that has visited the island for years was raging, and the craft began to drag her moorings, and the part was in a perilous position. The night passed without mishap, but next morning the sea got the better of the boat, and dashed her to matchwood on the rocks, the party jumping out in the nick of time. A light 29ft.' whaleboat, which was in tow, also met with a similar fate. For three weeks the three men roamed about the island, spending their leisure hours in pig-hunting. They were well cared for by the residents, and on October HO the Himitangi called at the island, and they were taken aboard after having been three weeks and two days from Owenga. Mr. Odey stated that his loss was about £250, but he intends to purchase another boat and return to the island as soon as possible.