THE STEAMER PERTHSHIRE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 11059, 10 May 1899, Page 5

THE STEAMER PERTHSHIRE.

NO TIDINGS OF THE VESSEL. STEAMERS TO SEARCH. The fact that nothing has yet been heard of the steamer Perthshire, now fourteen days out from Sydney to the Bluff, was one of tho principal topics of conversation throughout the city yesterday, and many were tho theories thrown out as to what had happened to t 0 vessel, and just as many suggestions made as to what rhould be done in tho way of rendering assistance. Tho general consensus of opinion was that in the heavy weather which the steamer must have encountered shortly after leaving Sydney, she either lost her propeller, or had it stripped of its blades, thus completely disabling her. As was pointed out in the Herald yesterday, the amount of canvas which the steamer could spread would have very little effect upon such an enormous vessel as the Perthshire in driving her through the water, and one well-known shipmaster yesterday ventured the opinion that, making full allowance for every sail that the steamer could possibly set, they would hardly give her steerage way.

Very bud weather has prevailed in the fasman Sea almost the whole time tha<# the Perthshire has been out from Sydney, ai'd this would tend to still further impede the steamer's progress. It is thought that, tbo steamer would bo set to the northward by the prevailing current, and that if any sen eh were made it should be in that direction.

Instructions have been given to all steamers travelling across the Tasman Sea to keep a look out for the missing steamer, and it has been suggested that H.M.s. Mildura or the Government stcamet Tutanekai should be sent to cruise along the course which the Perthshire would be likely to take. Why one or two of the powerful tugboats belonging to Sydney have not already been sent out to took for the steamer was a matter a great deal commented upon in town yesterday. New Zealand is not so well supplied with tugboats ot a powerful class as is New South Wales, and arrangements could very easily be made for their despatch from Sydney or Newcastle to zig-zag across to the Bluff, making due allowance for the drift of the disabled steamer.

Of course the wholo supposition is that nothing more serious hits happened to the Perthshire than her machinery being disabled, and although anxiety is natural, owing to the length of time that the steamer is overdue, it is not considered that any very great alarm need be felt for her safety for some days yet. as it would necessarily take the steamer in her disabled state a long time to make a New Zealand port. [IIY TELEGRAPH.— ASSOCIATION.] IxvEncAßGiu,, Tuesday. At noon to-day a pigeon arrived from l'uvsegur lighthouse with a. despatch fur Lloyd's agent here, to the effect that there was no sign of the s.s. Perthshire. The bird was probably released about eight a.m. Sydney, May 9. All departing steamers have been in structed to keep a look out for the P-v'h-shire. If there is no news of her ;n a day or two a search steamer will be sent out.