THE MISSING DREDGE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXIII, Issue 15920, 4 May 1912, Page 14

THE MISSING DREDGE.

HOPE ENTERTAINED AT LYTTELAlthough H.M.S. Challenger has returned to Sydney after a fruitless search for the dredge Manchester, now twenty-nine- days out from Wellington, there aro a number of nautical men who still entertain hopes for tho safety of the vessel. In support of their contentions, they state that as the weather prevailing in the lasman bea for the past three weoli3 has been very boisterous, tho dredge has probably been allowed to drift with tho sea. If such was the case then the vessel would soon got away from tho beaten track, which would account for her not being seen by the Challenger. Up to tho present, no communication has been received of the movements of the Pioneer or Encounter but it is thought likely that these warships would confino their attention to the north as the direction in which tho dredge would probably make in view of weather provided of course, 6he was able to withstand the heavy seas. Although she left this coast deeply laden, many of those conversant with the vessel looked upon her as a thoroughly seaworthy and stable craft. These views were recently endorsed by Captain Stewart, who brought tho now dredge Canterbury out from Homo for tho Lyttelton Harbour Board, and who at one time was appointed to take the Manchester to Sydney. As matters are at present thoro is a pood deal of anxiety amongst relativos •aid friends of the crew, many of whom hail from Lyttolton and Christehurch. Mr R- Hay Arlow, assistant-secre-tary to tho Lyttelton Harbour Board, son't the following cable message to tho Harbour Trust in Svdncy :—" The chairman of tho Lyttelton Harbour Board much regrets tho non-arrival of the dredc;o Manchester, and trusts that no disaster has occurred, and that tho warships' search will prove successful.'' Yesterday. Mr Tvorrie. secretary to tho Trust, sent the following reply':—." The Commissioners appreciate tbe chairman's sympathetic message."