SCHOONER H. K. HALL

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 183, 5 August 1925, Page 9

SCHOONER H. K. HALL

REPORTED OFF VALPARAISO.

A PROTRACTED VOYAGE.

FROM NEWCASTLE TO PERU.

An unconfirmed report received this week by Mr. H. George, solicitor, of Auckland, states that the five-masted schooner H. K. Hall was reported recently off Valparaiso. The report was sent from Newcastle on Saturday of last week.

The H. K. Hall, which is an Aucklandowned vessel, is on a voyage from Newcastle to Peru with 1200 tons of coal. She cleared the coal port on March 24, and is now 133 days out. Apparently she has encountered baffling or light winds from the outset, and the fact that she has been reported off Valparaiso, which is 1300 miles south of Calao, proves that she has been driven a long way off her course. No anxiety, however, is being felt for the safety of the sailer.

Sailing vessels have made some very protracted voyages in the Eastern Pacific and ninety days is considered to be a fair passage between Australia and Peru. It is interesting' to note that the barquentine St. George recently occupied 103 days on the run between Easter Island and Balboa, a distance of about 2000 miles.

The H. K. Hall is under the command of Captain S. L. Hammer who has with him a crew of eleven men, and is owned by Captain G. H. George, of Auckland. Besides Captain Hammer and Captain George, the schooner has on board the following:— N. L. Lade (Ireland), W T and H. M. Trass, brothers (New Zealand), J. Hamoa (Niue Island), H A McAyen, boy (New Zealand), A. Haman, boy (England), J. F. Lidgard and H S Aspen (New Zealand), J. W. Owler, cook (Scotland).