WAIKATO LAUNCH WRECKED.

Wairarapa Age, 24 February 1927, Page 5

WAIKATO LAUNCH WRECKED.

ON KAIPARA HEADS.

ONE MEMBER OF CREW MISSING.

AUCKLAND, February 2«

The launch Mercia, which sailed from Mercer on {Sunday afternoon for Auckland, via North Cape, was swept ashore by heavy seas on the south side of the entrance to Kaipara Harbour in the early hours of this morning, and Mr. L. Waters of Auckland, who was one of the crew, is missing. The owner of the vessel, Mr. W. H. Oliver of Mercer, was missing ail day to-day, staggered into Buckland’s Station at South Head, near Kaipara, this evening in an exhausted and injured condition. The three other members of the crow, Mr. Oliver’s two sons Willoughby and Clem and Mr. A. Hipkins, of Auckland, are known to be safe. The members of the party had a terrifying experience. When the Mercia was nearing the entrance to Kaipara Harbour on her way north, the engine, stopped. Heavy seas were running, and an anchor was cast, but soon after the anchor rope broke and the anchor was lost. The launch was now at the mercy of the heavy breakers and commenced to drift rapidly toward the shore. Desperate endeavours were made to re-start the engine,l but without succses. When the launch was near the shore, the deckhouse was carried away by a huge wave and Messrs Oliver senior and Waters were washed overboard. The other three managed to cling to the Mercia until she was driven up on the beach. They were all exhausted and badly bruised. Mr. Oliver came ashore some distance from the launch and throughout to-day wandered about among the sandhills until about 5 p.m., when he came upon Buckland’s Station, seven or eight miles inland. The manager, Mr. Hopkins, gave him food and put him to bed. It is not thought that his condition is serious. Up to midnight no word was received concerning Mr. Waters. It is possible that he also wandered inland like Mr. Oliver, but was unable to find a farm house. The country thereabouts is very desolate and lonely and miles of sand hills make walking very difficult.

Constable Hunt, of Helensvillc, left for South Head late this evening, and will commence a search early in the morning.

Mr. Waters, who resides at Devonport, is married, with four children, and is a printer by occupation. The launch Mercia was built at Mercer by Mr. Oliver, and one of the objects of the cruise was the cherished hope of the owner to take the first Waikato built boat round North Cape. The Mercia was a sturdily-built vessel capable of withstanding heavy weather. Her length was 381 feet, with a beam of 10 feet, and she wqs propelled by a 50 horse-power engine. Reports from Kaipara indicate that very heavy seas were running last evening. Every effort will be concentrated to-morrow on finding Mr. Waters. —(P.A.).