No Trace Of Missing Boat

Press, Volume C, Issue 29635, 4 October 1961, Page 12

No Trace Of Missing Boat

DUNEDIN. Oct. 3. Little hope is now held for the safety of the two men on board the Port Chalmers fishing boat Marion. An air and sea search covering 12.000 square miles today failed to give any clues to the fate of the boat. The boat was due at Port Chalmers at 8 a.m. on Sunday, but since 4 p.m. on Saturday no trace has been seen of the Marion or her crew, Colin Moore, of Waikouaiti, and Edward George English, of Port Chalmers. About 25 fishing boats, two R.N.Z.A.F. Devons and a United States Navy Rescue, master took part in today's search.

Most of the boats put to sea late on Sunday night and were recalled today after 18 hours* searching. The first Devon began the search early this morning and was joined by the others later in the day. The Otago Aero Club's Cessna, piloted by Mr H. Skilling, searched the coastline and reported seeing

(New Zealand Press Association wreckage on Long beach r near the entrance to Otago harbour. A police party from Port s Chalmers went to the beach r but found only washed-up j dunnage. j Th Marion’s owner. Mr T. f Murray, who had leased the boat to the missing men told t the Port Chalmers police to- . day that the vessel had no i dinghy, life-belts or buoys on > board. There were half a r dozen airtight drums painted . a rust colour. > The boat carried one sail which he aired about a month , ago, Mr Murray said. He beI lieved It would be in good . order. s There were no fresh water tanks in the Marion. > The fuel tanks had a I capacity of 42 gallons, enough I for about 25 hours’ steaming, t Mr Murray did not know ’ his boat was missing until toI day. He had been at the Nug- . gets on another boat on s Saturday and had seen the . Marion there. Conditions tor searching ; were ideal today and the air.

craft, working at an altitude of 1000 ft, had a visibility of 40 miles.