SHIPPING MYSTERY

Dominion, Volume 16, Issue 153, 16 March 1923, Page 7

SHIPPING MYSTERY

UNACCOUNTABLE BEHAVIOUR OF A SCHOONER SIGHTED OFF THE COAST WITH SAILS FURLED NO ATTEMPTS TO SIGNAL PASSING VESSELS By telegraph.—Press Association. ' Auckland, March 15. A strange story has been brought to Auckland concerning the unaccountable behaviour of an American schooner sighted about 190 miles west of Cape Maria van Diemen II surmises are correct, the vessel, at present unidentified, should prove to be the fourmasted schooner Lottie Bonnett, which sailed from Wanganui on March 6 with a local crew, admitted by tho captain io be largely inexperienced. It has been reported to the Collector of Customs that the Waihora on Sunday signalled to the Wanaka. that at 5 o’clock that morning a schooner was sighted without sail set, and carrying no lights, though it was not then daylight. No attempt was made by the schooner to signal the steamer. At 6 a.m. the next day the same schooner was sighted bv the Manuka. All the sails were furled, though there was a light breeze from the N.N.E. The schooner apparently was travelling slowly to the W.N.W. Again the smaller vessel made no signal. The master of the Manuka describes the ship seen as a five-masted American schooner. Tho Lottie Bennett has four masts, bat as the schooner was seven or eight miles away visibility would not be too favourable, and this detail may quite likely bo subject to revision. At least one observer on the steamer made the ship out as having four masts. There was sufficient wind to render the use of auxiliary engines superfluous, and it is pointed out that even if the engines were being run it would be customary to have sail set to steady tho ship. There is no information to indicate that the ship was travelling bv auxiliary engines, however, and it is significant that the Lottie Bennett is without such auxiliary power. The report of the captain of the Manuka has been forwarded to the Marine Department. and steps will "be taken to discover the identity of the schooner.