WATCHERS ALARMED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 129, 3 June 1931, Page 7

WATCHERS ALARMED.

MOVEMENTS OF VESSEL.

SHORE HELP IMPOSSIBLE.

The incidents which gave rise to the fear that the vessel, at that time unidentified," was in distress were related in messages received last night from the postmasters at Te Mata and Raglan.

These reported the appearance yesterday off the west coast, about midway between Raglan and Kawhia, of a small vessel which seemed to be in difficulties. She appeared to be drifting, but was so enveloped in smoke that watchers could not distinguish whether any distress signals were being sent out. The position of the vessel was described as being about three miles from the Raglan bar, where she had been lying since 8 a.m. Observers on shore, using binoculars, distinguished members of the crew running round the bow of the vessel, and it appeared as though a sail forward was being rigged up to enable the vessel to navigate to a position of safety.

Later observations raised doubt as to whether the clouds round the vessel were those of smoke or steam. They came out with great force, surrounding the boat at intervals, although not rising to any great height. The conclusion w;is reached by the Raglan postmaster that they were of steam.

Assistance (had it been needed) could not be offered from the shore as the bar was extremely rough, making negotiation by a launch impossible. The vessel wallowed in a considerable swell, and was continually flipping out of the sight of those on shore. For the guidance of the boat beacons were kept alight throughout last night on an eminence near the shore. There was no means at the time of establishing tlio identity of the vessel, the movements oi which were viewed by many residents from an eminence overlooking the sea, about three miles from Raglan.

At 5.40 p.m. the watehers saw the ship pass the bar, about five miles out to sea and travelling at a normal speed northward. She did not appear to be in any danger.