ADRIFT IN A LAUNCH.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 3686, 22 November 1912, Page 5

ADRIFT IN A LAUNCH.

TWO ADVEiYTUROUS NAPIER LADS. ’

(BY TELEGRAPH—SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT] NAPIER, Nov. 21. Two adventurous youths, and not overburdened with the sense of right, had a trying experience in the roadstead yesterday afternoon which might easily have ended fatally. Yesterday morning they visited the Tutaekuri River and took charge of a six-horse-power motor launch belonging.to a man. named. Arnold, without having received that person’s permission. , The youngsters set the engine in motion and commenced a voyage of exploration. • * Tliev went to the port and out into the.roadstead and steered a course for TV airoa.

.When about ten miles out the engine stopped without warning. * Not being conversant with the intricacies of an internal combustion engine, they were completely in the dark as to. what was wrong. The plug'was examined, the magneto inspected, nuts tightened, and connections disjointed. In the midst of their troubles the wind took a turn from the smith and the sea became choppy, which made .youthful mariners wish they hadn’t been born, i

As the wind increased the boat, which began to ship green .seas, drifted in the direction of Wairoa and there were unpleasant prospects of a night out with wet clothing and nothing to eat, besides the danger of the boat being swamped and the crew drowned. s

'Fortunately the master of the trawler Ithioa noticed the drifting launch and after some trouble took tne boys aboard and towed the boat to port.

On arrival at the wharf the boys made themselves scarce and had zhe Cuteness not to give their names. The owner of the boat, missing the craft this morning, went in search and found her.moored in the “Iron Pot.” There nothing remaining, of four gallons of’benzine which lie had left in. the boat and the engine was completely out of gear, the gunwale broken ne'ar the bow, and otherwiseknocked about.

In addition to having his boat badly" knocked about, Mr Arnold was compelled to lose a day’s work in order to find and take back his craft. The police have.the matter in hand.