LONG SILENCE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 263, 5 November 1932, Page 9

LONG SILENCE.

YACHT HEARTSEASE.

NEARLY FIVE WEEKS OUT.

NO NEWS FROM CREW.

VOYAGE TO TONGA.

Nearly five weeks have gone by since the Auckland keel yacht Heartsease, with a crew of six, left Whangarei for Tonga, and since then no news has been received of the vessel.

Some concern is being felt in Auckland for the safety of the crew, because it was anticipated that the Heartsease would make the run to Tonga in anything from two to three weeks. On the other hand, it is suggested that the yacht may have called at the Kermadecs, which are close to the sailing route usually taken. The wind during most of the time has been north-east and easterly, and the course is north-north-east.

The Heartsease was equipped with a short-wave transmitting wireless set, and it was thought that the crew would be in touch with New Zealand at any stage of the voyage. Auckland shortwave amateurs have been asked to attempt to get in touch with the yacht and if successful to report the fact to the "Auckland Star."

The Heartsease sailed from Auckland on September 22, and cleared Whangarei on October 4. The members of the crew are Captain J. A. McArthur (master), Lieutenant-Commander W. C. Juler (navigating officer), both of Auckland; Mr. W. G. Douglas, Hawke's Bay; Mr. Trevor Silk, Wanganui; Mr. R. F. G. Hutchison, Masterton; and Mr. H. Dixon, of Wellington. •

The Heartsease is a 49-foot keeler, equipped with a one-cylinder engine capable of 4J knots. She was overhauled and fitted with a special mainsail before she left, and was well provisioned. The transmitting and receiving radio sets on board are controlled by Mr. Dixon, who is an expert.

Mr. E. M. Silk, of Wanganui, father of one of the crew, has written to. Mr. Bryce Hart, the crew's representative in Auckland, asking whether he has received any news. . Mr. Hart has made inquiries during the past two days and so far has been unable to trace anyone who has been in communication with the vessel. It was thought that the Union Company's steamer Waipahi, now on her way from Suva to Apia, might have got in touch with the Heartsease.

The original intention of the crew was to go to Suva after leaving New Zealand, but it is understood that it was later decided to make Tonga the first Island port of call. No definite route had been chosen for the next stage of the voyage.

Some Auckland yachtsmen point out that there have been previous cases, when sail alone was used, of vessels making very long trips to the Islands.