SHIP IN DISTRESS AT SEA

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25933, 13 October 1949, Page 4

SHIP IN DISTRESS AT SEA

AWAHOU NOW OUT OF DANGER CHRISTCHURCH PILOTS’ REPORTS (New Zealand Press Association.) WELLINGTON, October 12. The seven passengers on the former New Zealand coastal ship Awahou, which was reported on Monday to be sinking 200 miles north of Fiji with Royal New Zealand Air Force Catalinas maH-kuning a watch overhead, have been safely transferred to the Carpenter Line vessel Lakemba. The Awahou has been taken in tow by the vessel Dengei and all three ships are understood to be heading for Suva, reports the R.N.Z.A.F. news service. The Awahou is in no further danger. according to a message from the commanding officer at Laucala Bay leceivcd at R.N.Z.A.F. headquarters. Wellington, at 2.30 p.m. to-day. The patrolling aircraft are accordingly returning to base. The first Catalina, captained by Pilot II D. B. Flintoff, of Christchurch, took off at 4.5 a.m. on Monday to establish contact with the vessel at first light but the Awahou was not in its given position. It was only after a I search lasting more than three hours that the ship was observed and lhe flying-boat was overhead at 9.20 a.m. Pilot Flintoff maintained his watch [ until relieved at 3 o’clock that after- ' noon bv another Catalina, captained iby Flight Lieutenant B. J. Oliver. 1 D.F.C., of Whangarei. i The sea was calm and weather | good, which prompted the harbourmaster at Suva to advise Wing Commander R. Webb. D. 5.0.. D.F.C.. com1 manding officer at Laucala Bay that i the ship's complement would be in no i immediate danger. I The second Catalina remained circlI ing Ihe vessel throughout the night | and guiding the Lakemba until conl tact was established between the ships at 3 o’clock next morning. The sea was still only a gentle swell. Passengers Taken Off With the dawn the seven passengers, I including two women, were taken off. | Flight Lieutenant Oliver, whose vigil I had lasted almost 14 hours, returned to base at 5.20 a.m. The Lakemba remained alongside I the Awahou. which had been taken in I tow by the Dengei. Radio contact with the ships was lost later on Tuesday and the R.N.Z.A.F. was asked by the harbour- ' master it Suva if contact could be established again by air. Accordingly at j 10.39 this morning another aircraft j was dispatched with Flying Officer T. M. Morcom. of Christchurch, as pilot and carrying the harbourmaster and radio spares. It was expected that a I prolonged search would be necessary as the last known position of the Denj gei and lhe Awahou was advised at midday yesterday, but a later message I states‘that the vessels were interceptjed some 200 miles from Suva a few minutes after midday. The radio faili ure had teen due to battery trouble on the Dengei. It is thought that Mr C. Henshaw. I of Takaka. was among the passengers.