A PHANTOM SHOAL

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17098, 22 February 1916, Page 10

A PHANTOM SHOAL

EINKMO.VS VAIN SEARCH OFF WAITA.HA. The Government steamer Hinemoa, which arrived back at Wellington on Friday from her round trip to the northern lighthouses, again searched in vain on Wednesday for the reported dangerous shoal off V>'aitara. Captain Bcllons is now somewhat inclined to consider the menace to shipping as a phantom, and there will be no further quest for Ihe elusive patch. In conversation with a reporter, Cap-, tain Dollons described the method adopted in attempting to locate the shoal. A bar of iron weighing a ton, and measuring I'Ji'v in length, was slung I - . orison In My under the lTinemoa at right angles to the keel and about 'midship-. The bar was lowered to a depth of eight fathoms (43ft). The vessel's big anchor was a'lso lowered to a depth of 1-2.3 fathoms (iV/fr). Tie vessel then steamed slowly backwards and for-

wards, drugging Urn bar ami anchor in Mich :i manner Ui.it if a. shoal existed it would be immediately detected. Captiihi Ri)Jl,-ins hr.il w.irotl two buriys. one in t'vc.nty-fivc fathoms of water, on the inside of the reported position of the shoal, and the other on the outside in thirty-six fathoms. These, buoys served as marks to guide the vessel in her "trawling operations," which Ir.-ted from eight o'clock in the morning till four o'clock In the afternoon. Nothtng'but a clear bottom with mud and shells was found. Owing to essential details with regard to the estimated position of the patch being omitted from the statements made by those who reported its presence to the Marine Department, the work of finding the obstacle has been rendered most difficult. Old seamen who have experience of that part of the coast have stated to Captain Rnllons that they have notseen any sign of a "break" to indicate the presence of the shoal. It- was first reported about, fifteen years ago, and at wide intervals two or three times since. The Hinemoa ha.s made four or five ineffectual attempts to discover it,.