YACHT BEACHED

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20738, 23 February 1939, Page 10

YACHT BEACHED

BTRIKES SUBMERGED ROCK CREW AND PASSENGERS SAFE (United Press A^sn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) NEW Y’ORK, Feb. 21 A message from San Pedro, California, says the coastguards there have received information that the Duke of Sutherland's yacht Sans Peur has been beached near Cape San Lucas, Lower California, The crew and passengers, which are believed to include, besides the Duke and Duchess, a party of six English, friends, are reported to be safe. The vessel struck a submerged rock.

The Duke of Sutherland is a keen yachtsman, and has always been interested in affairs appertaining to the sea. During the Great War he was a commander in the Royal Naval Reserve, and from 1915 to 1917 was in command of motor-boat flotillas based on Egypt and in the Adriatic. For a time he commanded an armed yacht in the North Sea.

WRECK OF COASTAL STEAMER

MARINE COURT’S FINDING (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) SYDNEY, Feb. 22 The Marine Court to-day recorded as its finding that it was “unable to ate with any confidence the cause leading up to the wreck of the coastal steamer Belbowrie off Maroubra Point on the night of January 16. Therefore, no negligence is attributed to anyone on board.” The Belbowrie, which carried a crew of about 10 men, was mainly engaged in the coal trade. She was hound for Port Kembla when she struck the reef. Visibility was poor. Steady rain was falling and there was a rising sea. Later the ship broke in two and became a total wreck. The crew made their way hand over hand along a rope through 60 feet of boiling surf to the shore. Captain Dixon, who was the last to leave the ship, became exhausted while still over the watef. and let go the line and fell into the surf. A number of men dashed in and dragged him to land.