A NIGHT ADVENTURE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 198, 10 January 1913, Page 5

A NIGHT ADVENTURE.

SEAMAN'S PERILOUS EXPERIENCE^. Auckland, January 7. A seaman belonging to a local had a perilous experience on Friday evening. Throughout the greater part of the night he was tossed about in a small dinghy at the mercy of the wave* and 'wind. The scow to which the seaman belonged was anchored in Shoal Bay, on the north side of the harbor. The man visited Auckland earlier in the day, and boarded the 9 p.m. ferry steamer and went to Northcote, where he had left bis dinghy, rowing back to the bay wfcer* the scow was anchored. He was in the act of throwing one of the oars on board when it slipped into the water. While he was endeavoring to recover th« oar the dinghy drifted away from the scow. The seaman then endeavored to paddie iback to the scow with the one oar, but owing to the wind, the tide and the rough sea he was unable to carry out his intention, in, spite of frantic efforts. The dinghy was now 'beyond control, and soon drifted to what is known as the "Boiling Pot," where a number of currents meet off-' Northcote Point. For two hours the smaii boat swirled round and round in the seething waters, and to add to the danger of the adventure the sea became rougher and the wind blew with' greater force. Eventually,' to the seaman's great relief, the dinghy ceased to swirl, having gradually moved away from the "Boiling Pot." Even then the follower of the sea was unable to guide his little craft and, exhausted with Ais'pmipaf efforts, he had perforce to allow-' the dinghy to drift. After some hours the seaman saw the black hull of the Wellington loom up in the darkness, afld with a few strokes of the paddle he brought the dinghy alongside the hulk, and scrambled aboard. It was then about three o'clock on Saturday morning.