OVERDUE SCHOONER

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21861, 25 July 1934, Page 7

OVERDUE SCHOONER

ANXIETY FOR THE ISABEL NON-ARRIVAL AT SUVA [FHOJI OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT] SUVA, Jubr ID Considerable anxiety is being felt in Suva for the safety of the schooner Isabel, which is now 35 days out of Sydney and some 15 days overdue at Suva. The schooner, which is of 185 tons, was purchased in Sydney recently by Mr. W. C. Nicholson, of Suva. The vessel left Sydney on Juno 14, and in ordinary circumstances should have made Suva in 15 or 20 days. The last heard of the vessel was when she was sighted by tho Aorangi on June 28, when the liner was two days out of Auckland, en route to Suva. The Isabel was then 700 miles from Suva, and apparently nil was well on board. Since that date weather conditions have not been good. On July 7, according to meteorological advices received here, Kaitaia, North Auckland, reported a barometer reading of 29.76 with an easterly wind of force. It is believed that the Isabel has been blown olf her course, somo of the weather experienced not being favourable to a vnssol making for Fiji from the south. Wireless messages have been despatched asking for ships to keep a look-out for the vessel. The Isabel, on January 4, last, arrived at Sydney 18 months out from Loudon, in charge of tho then owner, Mr. J. 11. Weeks, a London dentist. Ho told a remarkable story of attempted piracy and of nerve-racking tension caused by the fears of violence by members of tho original crow, who were replaced at Balboa.

Tho Sydney Morning Herald says:Although the Isabel was equipped with auxiliary engines, it was understood at tho time of her departure that they would not be used. Mr. C. Sullivan, the Sydney agent for the schooner, said that no engineer was being carried. A crew of five young men was signed on uncle!' the command of Captain Yeadon, with Mr. W. Stewart as assistant navigator. Under normal conditions tho voyage direct from Sydney to Suva was expected to occupy about thrco weeks.