FRUITLESS SEARCHES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21533, 3 July 1933, Page 9

FRUITLESS SEARCHES

THE MISSING COLLIER KINGSFORD SMITH HELPS (Received July 2. 5.5 p.m.) SYDNEY, July 2 Sir Charles Kingsford Smith, with Mr. John Stannage as wireless operator, left Mascot aerodrome in the Southern Cross yesterday morning to search for tho missing collier, Christina Eraser. An extra petrol tank was fitted and the monoplane carried sufficient petrol for 1.3 hours' cruising. The search by the airmen, also other searches, were fruitless. The Southern Cross again went out to-day to endeavour to locate the missing vessel. A message from Melbourne states that Captain Sifndercombe, chief surveyor of the Navigation Department, says assuming the Christina Eraser's engines were disabled when she was seen by the Koranui off Gabo on June 2-1 she may havo drifted toward New Zealand, owing to sea currents, at a rate of 15.miles a day. An Air Eorce flying-boat returned this afternoon after a fruitless search. SHIP'S SIREN HEARD ROCKETS ALSO SEEN SEARCH NOW ABANDONED (Received July 3, 12.45 n.m.) SYDNEY, July 2 The owners of tho Christina Eraser have decided to abandon the search. Sir Charles Kingsford Smith's search to-day was fruitless. The masters of two steamers have just reported sighting wreckage off llame Head, Victoria. This will be investigated. An aged couple living near Eden say they saw rockets and heard a ship's siren on the night of June 26. Ihey did not know the collier was missing till tlicy Visited Eclen this -week-end.