THE AWARUA

Southland Times, Issue 20012, 28 October 1926, Page 8

THE AWARUA

INQUIRY CONTINUED MAKURA’S ACTION WIRELESS OPERATOR’S EVIDENCE (Per United Press Association.) Wellington, October 27. The inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of the Awarua which ran short of coal and was not heard of for some days when on a trip from the Chatham Islands last month, was continued before Mr Riddell, S.M., to-day. George Henry Smith, wireless operator on the Makura, said he was off duty the night the Awarua was sighted, but at about 7.25 o’clock heard one of the passengers remark that a ship was flashing a message. He got it in the Morse code, “Short coal, require assistance.” She had probably sent her name before that and she repeated it, but witness did. not get it. He Watched the vessel till 7.45 o’clock, when she was lost to sight. It seemed to be steaming on a course heading up wind. All the time he saw her she did not give any distress signals, which consist of guns fired, at intervals of a minute, flames from burning tar or an oil barrel, continuous sounding of foghorn or rockets fired at short intervals showing stars of any description. She had plenty of time to send up distress signals while in sight and passed the Makura about a mile and a half away or perhaps not so far. The Awarua did not have up any not-under-control signals and witness’s conclusion was she required coal. After the vessel went out of sight Captain Davy came to the wireless room and lodged a message to be sent to Wellington with reference to the ship wanting assistance. To Mr Young, who appeared for the Seamen’s Union: He did not know if the message from the Awarua said “Require coal” or “Send coal.” The inquiry was then further adjourned until the Makura returns to Wellington.