it was imperative to leave Cascade Bay for survival, so Cythera, with a damaged hull and masts, motored 150 miles before a tropical cyclone and low pressure system hit, and the ship drifted, lying ahull, for 5 days until the system cleared and very restricted sail was raised. A week later, another tropical cyclone came through, lasting 4 days. Again, the yacht drifted, lying ahull, before a rough position was established. Cythera headed, once more, for Sydney. The northward drift was estimated at 250 miles. The decision was made that if any aircraft was heard or sighted a white flare would be fired to attract attention. An aircraft was detected, and two white flares were fired since the aircraft was in clouds. The aircraft was from the U.S. aircraft carrier (aptly named to be in the area), and the windows of the aircraft were tinted red, causing the white flares to appear red, resulting in a real emergency search. At 9:30 p.m., a Royal Australian Air Force Neptune Bomber, with spotlights blazing, flew in at mast height and dropped sodium flares around Cythera. The Norwegian freighter Prinsdal was instructed to identify and verify yacht and condition of crew. News broke that the missing ship was found. This news was heard on a small transistor radio on board. Cythera powered away from the freighter for safety, then raised sail to proceed to Sydney as instructed but, apparently, was expected to arrive within hours and was again deemed to be "missing". At midnight, Saturday, 11 May, Cythera confirmed position being off the Barrenjoey Light, approximately 20 miles north of Sydney. The remaining fuel was unknown, but Cythera motored the remaining distance in a flat, oily swell, arriving at the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia dock at 4:45 a.m., 12 May. Timeline Sunday, 31 March 1963: Depart Sydney Sunday, 7 April 1963: Anchor in lagoon, Lord Howe Island Wednesday, 10 April 1963: Cythera stolen Saturday, 13 April 1963: Fentons and Schriber return to Sydney Wednesday, 17 April 1963: Cythera recovered Saturday, 20 April 1963: Fentons, volunteer crew and police officers arrive in Norfolk Island Monday, 22 April 1963: Cythera departs Norfolk Island for Sydney Friday, 10 May 1963: Flares fired to overhead aircraft. Freighter "Prinsdal" alongside Cythera Sunday, 12 May 1963: Docked at Cruising Yacht Club of Australia 4:45 a.m. Theft aftermath Within a week of arriving back in Sydney, Peter was served