BOUND FOR AMERICA

Taranaki Daily News, 12 August 1930, Page 3

BOUND FOR AMERICA

VOYAGE OF THE VALKYRIE. LOS ANGELES IS HER GOAL. New light has been shed by an Auckland businessman on the disappearance of that venturesome schooner yacht, Valkyrie, which, says the Sun, left Auckland on May 8, ostensibly for Norfolk Island and which has not been reported since. He says that he was informed. on reliable authority that Captain E. Gilling, master and owner of the little vessel, had no intention whatever of going to Norfolk, although the Customs cleared him for that destination. It is now revealed that Captain Gilling intended to make for Los Angeles, with a view' of interesting cinema people in an island cruise. The Valkyrie is said to have six months’ provisions on board, tliis supply being shipped to the personal knowledge of the Sun’s informant, who was on board the vessel immediately before she put to sea. The ship has no passengers, but carries a crew of four or five, including the master. When the Valkyrie was on her famous voyage among the Pacific Islands in the middle of last year, Captain Gilling made the acquaintance of a number of film people and others at Suva and there was a proposal that they should join the ship with the object of filming the unknown islands of the South Seas. The picture folk actually joined the Valkyrie before she was forced to tie up for some months in Suva Harbour. The party included, according to a special letter-head Captain Gilling had had’ printed, the noted film star, Monte Blue, who was understood to be filming for Alexander* Marky.' Also on board were Professor H. C. Brown, Doctor of Philosophy, of Stanford University; S. T. Gurr*. representing the Asiatic and Consolidated Press, and Stanley S. Schnetzler, of the de Scro'be Manuscript Club, Hollywood. It may '.be that Captain Gilling has been in communication with these persons and has possibly been offered command of an expedition. Although the Valkyrie has been gone about seven weeks, no anxiety is now felt about her safety. The vessel, which is 44 tons register, does not sail fast, her sail area being comparatively small and she is not powered with much engine assistance, the horse power being only 16. The vessel has a voyage of approximately 7,000 miles and in view of the fact that on her previous voyage she took a month battling against the winds to reach Suva from Auckland, some considerable time must elapse before the ship reaches her destination. It is almost certain that the Valkyrie will call at one or more of the numerous islands which lie on her course, for replenishment of her water and vegetable supplies. The fact that she has not been reported anywhere is unimportant as the great majority of the islands are practically cut off from communication from the outside world.