A MYSTERIOUS BARQUE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12472, 1 October 1902, Page 5

A MYSTERIOUS BARQUE.

(Feb United Press Association.) GISBORNE, September 30. Purehau station, 10 mites north of Gisborne, reported sighting a large vessel with only one mast standing, and a topsail and jib set, heading south. The steamer Beatrice left port at 9.30 to communicate with the vesel sighted off Purehau. She is described as a large barque. Only the foremast is standing. Her position was about 12 milea off shore, near one Ariel Reef. The vessel appeared to have some difficulty in steering. It is thought she may bo tho overdue Timaru. The dredge John Town-ley left to search for the- disabled ship at noon, taking provisions, and the steamer Fanny left at 2 p.m. Tho trawler Beatrice has returned. She got within three miles of the dismasted ship 25 mites off the land, and then, tho wind freshened from the north-east, and the vessel, running with the wind, got away. She is expected to pass Portland 10 milea to sea. The vessel has a blaok hull, is loaded, and was rolling heavily. uaiter. - There is little fresh to add with regard to the ship. The men on the fishing boat declare they got within hailing distance, but got no reply. They say they aaw two mew, but cannot give the name of the vessel. Frank Knowles, wllto was on the Beatrice, states:—"The vessel was about 22 miles square off Tatapouri, running before a north-east wind; We had no chance of boarding her, as we could not get nmr enough. We gained on her at tho_ start, but then the broeze freshened, and, instead of us catching up to her, she was showing a. better pace than we could. We- signalled, but I do not know whether any reply was made. They apparently had no of making a reply, as there was practically nothing for them to signal from. She had only two topsails and a foresail set. We could see something dangling from the stump, but we could not make out whether it was canvas. We sighted tho vessel directly we rounded tho Tuahino Point, about 10 o'clock. We could not tell if there was any connection between the vessel and tho one" reported as having been seen on fire off Hioks Bay, or that it in any way resembled the missing barquo Timaru. I could not even say it was a barque. I tow thftt it was a big shit) of some sort, of about 1400 tons, painted black, and, I believe, built of iron. She looked a tremendous length, and like a ves*l that had been tumbling about a good deal, but we could seo no aign of fire. From her appearance she had all the canvas set that she could put on. With the naked ey© I could see a man at the wheel. The oourse of the vessel would be set for iibnut, Portland Bland. She should be all right unless the wind changes. She is well off the land, with every prospect of being able to reach Hawke's Bay. The steamers leaving Napie* to-night ought tonight her; but I should not think that sbe would require any aid, for tho breeze should keep fresh until sundown, and aa long as she has the wind with her, or if there is no wind blowing, she should be all right"