SWEPT OUT TO SEA

Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 February 1939, Page 6

SWEPT OUT TO SEA

FEARS FOR SAFETY OF YOUTH ’ ‘ & GIRL. VAIN SEARCH BY LAUNCH FROM THAMES. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) AUCKLAND. January 30. Fears are entertained for the safety of Basil Rabe, aged 17, and Hazel Fisher, aged 16, who early this afternoon put off in a flat-bottomed boat from the Waiomio Shore, were carried out to sea, and have not since been seen. Twice police have searched the locality, the first time in a launch and then in a fishing vessel, but without success. A fairly heavy sea was running all the afternoon. Visibility was at times restricted to 100 yards and a gusty south-easterly wind blew. The youth is the only son of Mr Karl Rabe, of Thames, and the girl is a daughter of Mr Fisher, Maramarua. Basil Rabe left his home at 1.30 p.m. today to go shooting. He arrived at Waiomio at about 2 o’clock, and shortly afterwards was seen to enter the boat in company with Hazel Fisher, who was spending a holiday at the beach. A woman eye witness says that she saw the boat caught by the outgoing tide and carried rapidly out to sea.

Rabe began to wave frantically for help, and the woman hurried to the nearest telephone and advised the Thames police, who were about six miles distant by road. In a comparatively short time a constable arrived and a launch put out. A gusty wind and heavy rain made conditions generally unpleasant. After a protracted search the launch returned and a further attempt was made soon afterwards in a heavier boat, which patrolled the coast for some distance but without catching a glimpse of the missing pair, who were last seen drifting in their boat a mile or more off shore at 3 o'clock.

Police telephoned to people at different vantage points to keep a lookout. but up to a late hour nothing further had been reported.