THE STEAMER WAIKATO.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 11129, 31 July 1899, Page 5

THE STEAMER WAIKATO.

EIGHTY-NINE DAYS OUT. NAVAL AUTHORITIES' OPINION. Tins steamer Waiknto is now 89 days out on the voyage from London to Port Chalmers, having left the Home port 011 May 4, and since she passed Teneriffe, on May 11, nothing lias been seen or heard of her. Of course, the general surmise 18 that the steamer has broken down, either the irachinory becoming in some way disarranged, or that the propeller has carried away in the same manner as that of the Perthshire. The Waikato has, however, a good spread of canvas, and it is said that if she became disabled, she would be able to make something of a headway with her sails. Some time ago instructions were issued to the commanders of the New Zealand Shipping Company's vessels, as follows: —

"With a view to minimise as far as possible the dangers of the Southern Ocean, and to provide the greatest chance of assistance in the event of a steamer being disabled, we have agreed with other steamship companies trading to Australia and New Zealand to adhere as closely as possible to the undernoted routes, which you are hereby instructed to follow as far as practicable. After leaving Capetown, or passing the Cape, all tracks are to converge to 40deg. south and 30deg. east, and thence the following meridians of longitude are to be crossed as follows : — Longitude 40deg. east, latitude 42.30deg. south ; longitude 50deg. east, latitude 45deg. south ; longitude 60deg. east, latitude 45.40deg. south ; longitude 70deg. east, latitude 46.20d0g. south ■ longitude 80deg. east, latitude 47deg. south ; longitude 90dcg. east, latitude 47.15deg. south ; longitude lOOdeg. cast, latitude 47deg. south ; longitude llOdeg. east, latitude 46.50deg. south ; longitude 120deg. east, latitude 46.35deg. south ; longitude 130deg. east, latitude 46.20deg. south ; from which position vessels will proceed to destination as most convenient."

Neither the 'Pakoha, which arrived at Auckland from London on Saturday, or the Otarama, which arrived at Port Chalmers from London last week, saw anything of the Waikato ; and as they kept along the usual course, it is thought'that, if the Waikato has broken down, she had not been able to keep on the track. The Otarama had very strong fair winds across the Southern Ocean, and if the Waikato had fallen in with the same winds she would have been able to come along on her course by the aid of her sail?. By Telegraph—rressAssociation—Copyright, London, July 29. The Caps squadron considers it hopeless to search for the steamer Waikato. The Admiralty endorse that opinion,