Did a Really Stupid Thing!!

[jonesfam]

Decided to try to drive home from Doomadgee yesterday, got just past Burketown when I came to 2 streams, the first was at 600 so I crossed it no problem.
The second stream was at 900 so I turned around & went back to Doomadgee.
A couple of hours latter one of my staff phoned to say someone had just come through & the creeks were dropping.
So, off I head again, get to the same spot, first stream 500, go across. second stream 800, go across, third stream - could not see the depth marker?
O.K. I think, the depth marker is gone, I will drive in carefully & back out if it's getting deep.
So I'm driving through & estimate it's about 800, then down I go.
Heart in mouth I decide stopping is NOT an option! Keep the bow wave going and push through, water starts coming over the bonnet, hands are shaking, sphincter is clenching. Glance to the left, see the Depth marker just below the water, I'm stuffed!!
Somehow, the Gods must have been have a good day, the D3 (without a snorkel) just pushed on through when the water started to become shallower.
Got to the other side, pulled up, got out & then realised how much I was shaking.
If the meter high depth marker was under water, Oh My God!!


Really stupid! I was so lucky - Never again!!
My hands are shaking again just writing about it.


I have come to 2 conclusions:
1, I'm a complete IDIOT!
2. Land Rover lied about the wading depth of the D3?


Don't give me to harder time, I know how dumb I was.


Jonesfam
PS The rest of the drive was uneventful.

[trog]

A lotto ticket might be a thought , as well as a note to self adhered to the dash or steering wheel. Glad to hear you got through safely , too many stories of those who don't.

[jonesfam]

Daly River state of emergency declared: Flood forecast to affect NT community amid cyclone watch - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) (http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-12-26/state-of-emergency-declared-for-community-of-daly-river/7054560)

[Bytemrk]

Lucky boy....... glad it worked out OK. ;)

[Narangga]

Glad to hear that you got through OK and also made it home for what must have been a very special Christmas.

Having lived in the tropics (Darwin, Arnhem Land and Aurukun) for the past 30 odd years, I know what you were facing and a little of how you feel.

When is your next tour of duty?

[jonesfam]

We are having our Christmas on Monday, our Ward Daughters 7th birthday on New years Eve then I will see when I can drive back?
I'm due 2 weeks off so no big rush. I also have heaps of holidays worked up.


I think I did have a bit of "Get Home Itis". This one was a reasonably long stint & very busy & SWMBO was at me a bit.


I was offered a job in Aurukun a few years ago managing the store, knocked it back because I thought Doomadgee was more peaceful & less isolated.:D
Jonesfam

[Narangga]

I'm glad the D3 had 'Get Home Itis' too :D

We were in Aurukun '85 - '88. It has deteriorated again recently so I think you made the wise choice overall.

Have a relaxing weekend and enjoy Monday!

[rangieman]

You pushed your luck once and survived good excuse for some cheap insurance a snorkle:angel:

[jonesfam]

Yes.
Even though SWMBO was at me to get home she had a MAJOR hissy fit when I unexpectedly arrived home & she heard I had crossed some deep water.
Next thing she is asking how much a snorkel for the D3 would be.
maybe a belated Christmas present?
Jonesfam
PS She has seen the pictures of Harris creek & is not happy I crossed it, She said loosing the car would be bad, loosing me would be unfortunate & painful.
Maybe she does Love me just a little bit? Never real sure about that.
Only been married 34 years, I will work it out one day.

[bob10]

Close call. Don't push your luck going back too early. Enjoy time with your family, while you can. If you have to go back, don't go on your own, if possible. But, of course, you know that. On the up side, when you are old & grey, you can have your grandchildren wide eyed as you tell them how you cheated death, the story will become part of your family folk lore. What doesn't kill us, makes us stronger. [ or smarter. ]

[cafe latte]

Glad you you made it!! You are not alone in the stupid department I did the same in an old Troopy but it did not go as well even with a snorkle. I was at home, rains started and I needed to get over Archers creek (on my property). My depth marker a rock was under but it seemed not much under so I went for it... Water started flooding in and we started to float which is not good, I dont know what was worse this or the missus shouting :)
I got her to open her door and that gave us traction but we still came to a stop I did not know at the time, but i had come up against a huge rock that had washed down stream in the last rain. I reversed and tried again and again. On the last attempt the flow picked up the car and it rolled onto the drivers side the engine kept running I spent a maybe half a minute scrambling around trying to turn the engine off as the snorkle was cms from being under water as the car was on its side. Missus swam to the bank as she swims like a fish. I made it to a tree , but the rain was increasing and currents were getting really strong and I could not go any further. I took my trousers off and used them like a rope flinging them to the missus as she had swam to another tree. I got to he and eventually we got to the bank. She is Italian and it was her car :eek: I thought she would never stop ranting!!!
I got my D7 dozer and pulled the car onto its wheels and pulled it out. After the rain stopped I drained the oil from diffs, engine and gearbox and refilled and drove the car home. Roof had come off and the side was folded in but it worked. I bought a donor car for a side panel, roof and drivers door and I panel beat out the tub and resprayed it. Me ear ache went after it was fixed.. Big lesson learned though cars are not boats.
Chris

[PAT303]

Just remember that there wouldn't be a single person on this forum who hasn't done something similar,the trick is to learn from it. Pat

[LandyAndy]

I would be getting some electrical contact cleaner and going thru and cleaning all the known problem electrical connections,seeing you already won lotto;););););););)
ENJOY
Andrew

[cafe latte]

Just remember that there wouldn't be a single person on this forum who hasn't done something similar,the trick is to learn from it. Pat

Like dont damage an Italian woman's car :D
Chris

[SBD4]

Decided to try to drive home from Doomadgee yesterday, got just past Burketown when I came to 2 streams, the first was at 600 so I crossed it no problem.
The second stream was at 900 so I turned around & went back to Doomadgee.
A couple of hours latter one of my staff phoned to say someone had just come through & the creeks were dropping.
So, off I head again, get to the same spot, first stream 500, go across. second stream 800, go across, third stream - could not see the depth marker?
O.K. I think, the depth marker is gone, I will drive in carefully & back out if it's getting deep.
So I'm driving through & estimate it's about 800, then down I go.
Heart in mouth I decide stopping is NOT an option! Keep the bow wave going and push through, water starts coming over the bonnet, hands are shaking, sphincter is clenching. Glance to the left, see the Depth marker just below the water, I'm stuffed!!
Somehow, the Gods must have been have a good day, the D3 (without a snorkel) just pushed on through when the water started to become shallower.
Got to the other side, pulled up, got out & then realised how much I was shaking.
If the meter high depth marker was under water, Oh My God!!


Really stupid! I was so lucky - Never again!!
My hands are shaking again just writing about it.


I have come to 2 conclusions:
1, I'm a complete IDIOT!
2. Land Rover lied about the wading depth of the D3?


Don't give me to harder time, I know how dumb I was.


Jonesfam
PS The rest of the drive was uneventful.

Jonesfam, I am guessing the drivers side of the car was was downstream. That being the case you have created a nice hollow with the bow wave to keep the air intake vent on the drivers side clear of water(passenger side is cosmetic). Had you stopped to reverse or the water flow was the other way it would have been curtains for your engine and possibly the car.

Lots of luck happening there - definitely time for a snorkle. Glad something was looking after you and you came out of it safe and sound.

PS check the filter for evidence of water and replace if there is.

[bob10]

Don't beat yourself up, even the " professionals" get it wrong. Check this recovery out.

https://youtu.be/f8trkgFX6wI

[Chenz]

Like dont damage an Italian woman's car :D
Chris

Lucky she wasn't Sicilian
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/12/8.jpg

[cafe latte]

Lucky she wasn't Sicilian
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/12/8.jpg

You mean there is worse than my missus? :eek::eek::eek:
Chris