AN OVERDUE STEAMER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 14927, 27 February 1912, Page 9

AN OVERDUE STEAMER.

HIMITANGI FROM CHATHAMS.

VESSELS TO GO IN SEARCH. [TIT TELEGRAPH. — OWN* CORBESrOXPKNT.] Wellington, Monday. Nothing has been, heard of the Chatham Island Fishing Company's steamer Himitangi since sho left Lyttelton on January 31 for tho Ghathams. It was thought that the- vessel's delay in returning to Wellington was due to had weather at the islands, which would prevent her from landing cargo at seven or eight settlements in the group. As she is still away and nothing is known of her whereabouts it has been decided by the owners to fend the coastal steamer Gertie to search for her in case she is in want of assistance. 'The first arrangement was that the Gertie should leave Wellington to-morrow, and call at Lyttclton Heads before going out of sight of land, in case tho Himitangi had returned to port. It has now been decided to send the Gertie direct,for the Ghathams at live o'clock to-morrow afternoon. The trip to or from the Chathams usually occupies about two days and a-half, and under ordinary circumstances tho Hiraitangi should have made Wellington on the 121 h inst. The weather at the islands is frequently very boisterous, and there have been many instances of vessels having been greatly delayed on the round trip. One of the steamers belonging to Messrs. Richardson and Co., of Napier, once took a whole month to go to the Chathams and back. She was detained at various points through a succession of gales, and it is thought that tho Hiraitangi is having a similar experience. The Himitangi carried a reserve stock of coal, and even if that has run out she can get another supply at one or other of tho two fishing stations at the Chathams. Captain Cowan, of the. Himitangi, was for sorao time in tho Canterbury Ship- \ ping Company's service when its steamers : ran to the Chathams, and his first mate 1 (Captain Mclntyre) also knows the islands well. At one period he was on the schooner Clyde, owned at the time by Mr. John McLean. Mr. McLean was a passenger for the Chathams by the Himitangi on her last trip, as was also a son of Mr. W. G. Foster, of Wellington, chairman of the company which owns that vessel. The Himitangi is a soundly-built steamer, and proved a fine eea boat on her trip out to New Zealand from the Old Country in charge of Captain R. Fraser, R.N.R., who was later on master of the s.s. Janie Seddon. When she left Lyttclton at the end of last month the Himitangi carried a company of 14 or 15. Her chief engineer is Mr. .1. H. Frendcrville. a native of Wellington, formerly in the Union Company's service, and Mr. P. Scanlon, who was formerly with the British India Steam Navigation Company, is second engineer. The Hon." J. A. .Millar (Minister for Marine) informed Mr. Foster (chairman of tho* Chatham Islands Fishing Company) this morning that ho had given instructions that the Government training ship Amokura was to go direct, to the Chathams to search for the Himitangi. Repairs aro at present being made to the Amokura, and it is not expected that she can leave until Thursday. The Himitangi can spread canvas if her machinery has broken down, and can be relied uj>on to make port under sail if her hull is not damaged. She is also well supplied with provisions. THE MISSING VESSEL'S CREW. [BY TELEGIUFK.—riI£SS ASSOCIATION.] CnniSTf-nrßcn, Monday. The Himitangi's agents'have no information regarding passengers by tho missing vessel. The names of the crew are as follow :— * Master: Cowan. Mate: A. Mclntyre; second mate, H. Sawyer. Chief ergir.eer: J. H. Piendcrville; second, P. V. Scanlon. A.B.'s: H. Hobler. G. Adams. J. Radcliff, O. Nikon, It. Watson, and R. Fry. Steward: J. White. ? Cook : J. Merritt. Firemen: M. White, G. Kerry, and .1. Simeon.