STILL MISSING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 93, 19 April 1940, Page 3

STILL MISSING.

NAVAL RESERVISTS. THOROUGH SEARCH MADE. GRAVE FEARS FOR SAFETY. Xo trace has yefc been found of the three Royal Xaval Volunteer Reserve member? who left Tiritiri Island on Wednesday afternoon for a sail in a small yacht which was later found capsized with all sail set. The missing men are: — Ordinary Signalman William A. Rvan aged -•'>, of 3, Lonsdale Street, Ellerslie! Ordinary Signalman Desmond CI vie Waite. aged 20, of 536 a, Manukau Road. One Irt'c Hill. Signalman J. \V. Dallow. of -'4 Grass Street. Oriental Bay, Wellington. The three men had been called up for natal service and were stationed at Tiritiri 1.-land. When off duty on Wednesday afternoon they set off for a sail in the T class 14ft yacht Evaine, formerly the Lena, owned by Ordinary Signalman Rvan.

The yacht was found floating upside down abi.ut three miles west of Tiritiri by the auxiliary ketch Endeavour, owned by the Aspden Shipping Company, which was on Her way to Portland.

A thorough search ,ias been made for the men by launch, naval aircraft and land parties at all beaches along the coast on the Whangaparaoa Peninsula and around Tiritiri Island, but the search has proved fruitless. All outgoing ships have been advised to keep a lookout for the missing men, and radio messages were broadcast to residents on the coast and the gulf islands to watch for them. There are, however, grave fears held for their safetv.

Ordinary Signalman \V. Ryan, why wa* the owner of the yacht, k the son of Mr. and Mrs. \Y. A. Ryan, of Ellerislie. He was educated at the Cornwall Park school and Auckland Grammar School, being a. member of the first- XI hockey team at the latter school. After leavin"" school he joined the St. Georgo's Rowiti" Club and competed at various regattas. He was also a member of the committee of the St. George's Rowing flub for three rears.

He took a keen interest in yachting and last season competed in event-* on the harbour. He was employed by Heid Rubber Mills. Limited, at Penrose, and for the i>ast two years was a member of the K.X.V.R.. Inking called up for eerviee on February 23. After two weeks at the naval base, be was transferred to Tiritiri Island and wa.; granted permission to take liis yacht there. Hi-' parents expected him home on leave to-day. ' Ordinary Signalman Desmond Clyde Waitc is the youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. C. E. Waite, of One Tree Hill. He was born at Hamilton, but attended school at Papatoetoe, and later went to the Otahuhu High School. On completing his education he entered the Lands and Survey Department and also joined the R.X.Y.R. He was called up 6ix weeks ago and was sent to Tiritiri on puard duty two weeks later. He wae well-known as a Rugby player for i the Otahuhu Club.

The search, which had been conducted by the naval authorities, was discontinued this morning.