VESSEL FEARED IN DISTRESS

Southland Times, Issue 23182, 24 April 1937, Page 6

VESSEL FEARED IN DISTRESS

Message From The Kekerangu TWO SHIPS SEARCH IN VAIN STEAMER REPORTED TO BE STANDING BY (United Press Association) WELLINGTON, April 23. The Post and Telegraph Department has received advice from the Kekerangu that a steamer of considerable size, at 9.30 tonight, was in distress about six miles south offshore from the Kekerangu. At 9.55 another steamer was reported to be standing by the disabled vessel but the information is not definitely certain on that point. The weather is clear and the sea calm. Later advices state that the following vessels are probably in the vicinity, the Port Waikato, H.M.S. Wakakura and the Nora Niven. A Blenheim report states that Captain Trolove, of the Kekerangu reports: “It appears that the disabled vessel is moving slowly southwards, probably being tendered by a small vessel, which apparently arrived about nine o’clock, but it is difficult to state accurately what is happening.” A-report that it might have been H.M.S. Wakakura using Verey lights is not confirmed by the Naval authorities at Wellington, who state that this is most unlikely.

The Postal authorities have received a wireless report from Captain G. B. Morgan, of the Rangatira, stating that the Rangatira searched the area where the ship was reported to be in dis--tress but there was no sign of any such vessel in the locality indicated. The trawler Nora Niven, working in the same area, also reports no sign of either ship. The search is being continued. The weather is clear and the visibility very good.