HARBOUR SENSATION.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 134, 8 June 1926, Page 6

HARBOUR SENSATION.

VESSEL DASHES PAST PILOT.

DID NOT WAIT FOR DOCTOR.

TEMEHANI MYSTERY,

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

SYDNEY, June 3. A maritime sensation was caused on the arrival of the mystery ship Temehani from Papeete, via Auckland, for the vessel, ignoring the pilot steamer at Sydney Heads, steamed straight to a berth at Darling Harbour, and was subsequently ordered back to Watson's Bay for medical examination.

The Temehani arrived off the Hes'us soon after midnight on Tuesday, and the pilot steamer went out to put a pilot on board. Two masters with Sydney exemptions were on board, however, and this fact evidently prompted those in charge to steam straight to a berth. The fact that the'vessel had been medically examined at Auckland was taken as a reason why the same procedure would not be necessary at Sydney. But a water police launch followed the Temehani up the harbour, and subsequently ordered her to return to the Heads for examination. It is alleged that, when she reached Darling Harbour a man was dropped on shore, and did not go on board again before the vessel returned for examination.

The Temehani has all the attributes of a mystery ship, for her preseno ownership is unknown, though it is expected that she will shortly hoist the flag of a well-known Sydney concern. Recently she wae offered for sale to a group of Sydney men, who sent a man to Papeete to conclude the deal. It was found that he did not have a deep sea master's certificate, and another Sydney skipper was sent over to bring the Temehani to Sydney. She came over in charge of Captain Riehame. The original intention was to have come direct to Sydney, and if this scheme had been adhered to the Temehani must have sighted the Eastern Moon before the Devon did. She would undoubtedly have picked up the stranded steamer and collected the rich salvage prize.

It is freely rumoured that after the first negotiations were entered into with the French owners of the Temehani, further transactions took place, a large Sydney concern offering the new owners a handsome profit on the figure they paid for the vessel.

And it is suggested that the real reason behind the dash up the harbour without the granting of pratique was the urgent desire to get into touch with the various principals.