KETCH MISSING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21763, 31 March 1934, Page 13

KETCH MISSING

MELANESIA* VESSEL VOYAGE TO THE ISLANDS SERIES OF MISFORTUNES Fears are entertained for the safety or the Mission auxiliary ketch Patteson. which is in the course of her maiden voyage from Sydney to the islands of Melanesia. The vessel left Noumea, the capital of New Caledonia. on March 21, for Vila, in the New Hebrides, and advice has been received by the Auckland office of the Mission that she has not since been seen. Under normal conditions the voyage would have taken only three or four days, as the distance between the two places is only about 400 miles by sea.

A singularly unfortunate voyage has Weil exj>erien«Kl by the Patteson since she. first left Sydney on January 19. and her ill-luck has rivalled that of the Melanesian Mission's, motor-vessel Southern Cross VI., which was wrecked on Aneityum Island while on her maiden voyage from Auckland to the Islands.

The Patteson was forced to put in to Jervis Bay through meeting heavy seas a few days after the start of her voyage from Sydney. Errors in the calculation of latitude had shown that her compass was not accurate during the voyage, and she returned to Sydney for adjustments. A fresh start was made ou February 3. but misfortune was again encountered, the stock of her rudder being torn away when she was about 40 miles north-east of the Middleton Reef ou February 7. The master, Captain Delmer, had no choice but to return, as only the jib and mizzon could be used while the jury rudder that was improvised was in use. The vessel made a slow journey to Newcastle. 600 miles away, and then to Sydney, where repairs were effected. She has thus twice previously met with misfortune, but in spite of the ill-luck that has dogged her, it is still hoped that she has put in to one of the small islands of the groups and that the crew are safe.

The building of the Pattcson was proj«rtetl w}ien the mission steamer Southern Cross V. was 11 earing the end of her career, and a proposal was advanced to replace her with a motorship and an auxiliary vessel. The motorship. the Southern Cross VI., was wrecked, and was replaced with the Southern Cross VII.. while the Patteson was completed at the beginning of this year. She was built in Sydney by Mr. L. Halversen. and i> 45ft. in li'ns'tii with a loft, beam and a draught of 4ft. Her engine is a 25 to 30 horse-power Diesel. The vessel cost £2200, "subscribed by friends of the Melanesian Mission, and many people in Auckland made contributions. She is named after the martyred Bishop Patteson.

A SEARCH COMMENCED QUEST BY STEAMER (Received March SO. 5.5 p.m.) SYDXEY, March 30 The steamer Loyaute is searching for the Melanesian Mission's ketch Patteson. which left Noumea oil March 21 lor the New Hebrides and has not arrived there yet.