THE MISSING DREDGE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXIII, Issue 15921, 6 May 1912, Page 2

THE MISSING DREDGE.

STILL NO SIGN

The officers on board the Union Company's collier Wainiria,-which'arrived at Lyttelton from Newcastle on Saturday, reported that on the journey across the Tasman Sea. they saw no sign of the dredge Manchester, now thirty-one days out from Wellington; Throughout the run over to New Zealand a sharp look-out was kept for the missing vessel. The collier had a very rough trip across, and for the greater part of the voyage water was being shipped fore and aft. The vessel, however, came through unscathed. At 1.25 p.m. on Monday last a tremendous sea was running, with a south-south-west gale, and as the sr.fety of the ship was in danger it was deemed advisable to "heave to." In this position the Wairuna remained until 6.50 a.m. on Wednesday, forty-one hours having passed without any headway be* ing made. In view of the rough trips recorded bv various vessels, it is considered that the only chance the dredge had to combat the elements was to make north, and hopes are still entertained that she will be located in the vicinity of Lord Howe Island. On the other hand, there has been no scarcity of vessels traversing the northern track, and many fear that disaster ha 3 befallen the dredge. The reports of the cruises of the warships Pioneer aȣ Encounter are being awaited \Wi much anxiety.