SHIP OVERDUE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23828, 2 December 1940, Page 6

SHIP OVERDUE

THE HOLMWOOD

RAIDER SUSPECTED

TRIP FROM CIIATHAMS TWELVE PASSENGERS WOMEN AND CHILDREN [BT TELEGRAPH"— SPECIAL REPORTER] WELLINGTON, Sunday Five children and four women are among 12 passengers on tlio small steamer Holniwood, which is overdue, at Lyttelton from the Chatham Islands. The possibility that she has been caught hy the enemy raider which was operating off tlie New Zealand coast during the week is announced. A crew of 17 manned the Holm wood, which was duo to reach Lyttelton on Wed nesday. The official statement issued yesterday by the Prime Minister's Department was: "The Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. I'. Fraser, regrets having to announce that the small local vessel, the Holmwood, formerly the Tees, is considerably overdue, and no information of any kind is available regarding the cause of her delay in reaching port. "It is, of course, possible that the vessel may have broken down or she may have encountered the raider known to have been off the New Zealand coast. "All possible steps are being taken and a further announcement will he made immediately any news of this vessel is obtainable." Searches Without Result An additional announcement tonight stated that no further information was available about the Holmwood. Searches had been made without result.

The following list of passengers has been received by radio from the Chathams: —Mr. and Mrs. D. McMahon and their two children, -Mr. and Mrs. R. C. Idiens and their two children, Mr. and M rs. 1). .James and one child, and Miss Clara Hough. Mr. McMahon has been radio superintendent and postmaster at Waitangi, Chatham Islands, for about four years, and was returning to New Zealand on transfer. Mr. Idiens is a Christchurch man who has been in business as a builder and contractor at the islands for many years. Mr. .Tames has been working on a sheep station at Kaingaroa, and Miss Hough is a Chatham Islander. Officers and Crew The Holmwood was commanded by Captain .James Miller, of Christchurch, and his officers were:—Mr. A. Campbell, of Wellington, chief officer; Mr. C. Clarke, of Wellington, second officer; Mr. F. Abernethv, of Wellington, chief engineer; Mr. H. F. le Cren, of Christchurch, second engineer; Mr. G. R. Clayton, of Dunedin, third engineer. The crew was:—.J. A. Lumberg, of Wellington, cook; X. McMillan, of Wellington, steward; .J. Ellison, of Wellington, able seaman; P. -J. Stiles, of Lyttelton, able seaman; F. Johnson, of Wanganui, able seaman; J). McLeod, of Lyttelton, able seaman; T. L. Longun, of Wellington, able seaman; S. C. Waterhouse, of Christchurch, fireman; I). Cornish, of Greymouth, fireman; J. Finnerty, of Lyttelton, fireman; T. Allen, of Wellington, fireman. No Radio Messages The Holmwood carried wireless equipment and three of her officers were competent operators. However, 110 word was received from the Holmwood alter she left the Chathnnis on Monday morning on her run of about 450 miles to Lyttelton. She carried a cargo of 1375 sheep. 77 bales of wool, one horse, several tons of general cargo and mail. She was making her second trip from the Chatham* since she was bought by the Holm Shipping Company, of Wellington. Nevertheless, she has for a long time been the only ship in the Chatham Islands trade, being better known as the Tees. State Subsidy for Service After being laid up for a time, the vessel, of 515 tons, was sold last August to the Holm Shipping Company by the Westland Shipping Company and underwent an extensive overhaul at Wellington before being put back into the trade under a new name. To ensure the resumption of the service to the Chathams, the Government some months ago offered a subsidy. The fastest passage made by the vessel was in .June, lO.'ll. when she went outward to the Chathams in 45 hours and returned in 4 1 hours. The Holmwood was built in 1911 by 1 Goole Shipbuilding Company on the! Humber. Her length was 165 ft., and her beam L'Oi't., tho port of registry ; being Lyttelton.

SEARCH AFTER ATTACK NO SIGN OF MARAUDER [nv TKIjKC;KAI'It—SPECIAL reporter] WELLINGTON, Sunday It was announced by the Prime Minister's Department late to-night that no further inlormation was available regarding the British vessel which was attacked last week by a raider 1(H) miles off the New Zealand coast. Searches jnado so far had been without result..