SHIP IN DISTRESS

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 219, 16 June 1925, Page 8

SHIP IN DISTRESS

ROCKETS OFF TIT AHI BAY UNIDENTIFIED VESSEL ADRIFT TUTANEKAI GOES IN SEARCH An unidentified vessel was sending up distress rockets from 5.45 o’clock last evening, at intervals, for an hour, about three miles out from Titahi . Bay. The Union Company’s passenger steamer Arahura. which left Wellington at 4 p.m. yesterday for Picton. was notified bv wireless ol the happening, but although the vessel passed the vicinity, Captain Prosser, of the Arahura, replied that no signs of any vessel in distress had been observed. The Government steamer Tutanekai was dispatched from Wellington at ten minutes to 11 o'clock last night in quest of the disabled vessel. The Tutanekai had to get steam up, and an unavoidable delay was thus occasioned.

The first news of the distress signals was brought to towu by travellers on a train who, at 5.45 p.m., noticed rockets being sent up out at sea when the train was approaching Porirua. Mr. A. C. Cole, of the Club, Titahi Bay, was communicated with by telephone at 6.40 p.m. Mr. Cole had not heard of the report, but on going out in the open immediately saw blue rockets being sent up from a vessel which seemed to be about three miles straight out from the shore. He organised a search party, and proceeding to a hill which altorded a view of the beach for a distance of a mile and a half each way,’ scanned the shore for any signs of wreckage or life. Constable O'Donnell, of Johnsonville, arrived on the scene by taxi, but after searching the beach till 8.30 p.m. failed to discover signs of anything having come ashore from the vessel. Lights were visible on the vessel, which slowly drifted northward. About 7.30 p.m. she disappeared behind the seaward side of Mana Island. A full gale was blowing off the shore, and this kept ttie vessel from drifting in to the breakers, which were rolling in mountains high. The feeling seemed to be among those who saw the lights on the ship, that she was disabled, and was being blown up through Cook Strait far enough off the land to be in no immediate danger at the time. Vessels in Cook Strait. Various theories were propounded as to the identity of the distressed vessel. Theories and 'rumours of an improbable and even impossible nature were current last evening. The coastal steamer John, 342 tons. Captain J. Hawick, owned bv the Holm Company, Wellington, left Wanganui at 4.10 p.m. on Saturday for Wellington, and, in common with other coasters, encountered the southerly gale on Saturday night, and probably went to shelter. She had not reached Wellington by 1 o'clock this morning. The small’ auxiliary deck scow, Kohi, which has been due at Wellington from Havelock since Saturday, had not put in an appearance nt Wellington ’by o’clock this morning. The steam trawler Futurist, 241 tons, 'eft Wellington at 7.30 yesterday morning to trawl in Cook Strait. She is an eceptionallv serviceable boat in heavy weather, and if disabled, would have a much more favourable chance against the elements than much larger vessels. The coastal steamer Wootton, 151 tons, Captain Larsen, left Wellington at 6.15 p.m. on Thursday for Lyttelton, and up till last evening had not been reported at Lyttelton or to her Wellington agents. It was thought that she ran in to shelter on the South Island side of Cook Strait to wait for better weather. A possibility is that Captain Larsen mas - have headed back to Wellington to replenish the Wootton’s coal supply before resuming the trip to Lyttelton. The Anchor Company’s coastal steamer Kaitoa arrived at Wellington shortly after 6 o’clock last evening ironi Picton, where she had been sheltering on her way from Nelson. She sighted no vessel in distress'in Cook Strait. The coastal steamers Titoki and Invercargill left Wanganui shortly after 5 o’clock last evening for Wellington, and would pass Mana Island, where the distressed vessel was last seen. If the latter is still drifting she is almost certain to be seen by the Titoki or Invercargill. The Vicinity of tile Mishap. Titahi Bay, off which the disabled vessel’s rockets were seen, is about 15 miles from Wellington by road. -Mana Island around which the ship disappeared is 35 miles by sea from Wellington, and is 2J- miles westward of the entrance to Porirua Harbour. _ It is flat-topped, 440 ft. high, 1 1-3 miles long, and half a mile wide. Ihe northern and western sides are high and precipitous, with scattered rocks extending more than a cable off shore. Need for Wireless. The new regulations to come into operation shortly provide for compulsory equipment with wireless by the smaller coastal vessels. In case of accident, as in the instance last evening, help would be .summoned immediately, and the vessels that go to the disabler! ship’s assistance could locate her much more expeditiously than under the existing circumstances. Gale Abates. Late last night the gale had abated at Wellington, and there werf only light rain squalls from the south. The Tutanekai cleared the heads at 11.35 p.m., and there was then very little sea at the entrance. The wind had backed to the south with a slight easteilv slant. Occasional signs of breaks in the clouds gave promise of a general improvement, although little gusts of wind continued to carry light showers. The temperature was higher, and conditions Fere favourable flSr better weather. Visibility at sea was fairly good, and quite satisfactory for the Tutanekai’s scinch.