The Timaru Herald. SATURDAY, JUNE 17, 1899.

Timaru Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 2980, 17 June 1899, Page 2

The Timaru Herald. SATURDAY, JUNE 17, 1899.

Up to the time of this article being written, the Perthshire is still missing. Amongst the latest scraps of information concerning the steps taken to find her and bring her once more into port, is the announcement that the Admiral has ordered H.M.S. Mildura, now on the New Zealand coast, to go m search of the misßing vessel. It cannot be said, however, that the Admiral took the initiative m this matter, for one of yesterday's cable messages from Sydney stated that the Governor of New South Wales had telegraphed to him asking him to despatch one or more of the warships to look for the Perthshire. We should like very much to know whether the Premier of New Zealand has made a similar request, and if not, why not. A good many people think that, under the peculiar circumstances of the case, the Admiral, without unduly stretching his functions, might some time ago, have ordered not merely one but several of the Auxiliary Squadron to take up the search. The Perthshire is now out from Sydney lifty-two days, and though she has been twice spoken, the length of time which has elapsed since she was last heard of is naturally occasioning renewed anxiety on her behalf. The experts still would have the public believe that such anxiety is uncalled for. Their opinion is that she is still drifting about m mid-ocean, and that neither weather nor currents have taken her within dangerous proximity to land. The experts may, however, be wrong on that point, and it must be remembered that if, m the Perthshire's present disabled condition, she is carried into such danger, those m charge of her can do little or nothing to avert it. There has been very stormy weather quite recently m the Tasman Sea, as reported by the steamer Duckenfield and other vessels. In forming their opinion the experts have no doubt been guided m a great measure by a knowledge of the regular ocean currents, and if only those had to be taken into account, there would be less room for anxiety ; but the currents vary to some extent with the weather, and their effect may be altogether counteracted by stroag gales. At all events the position is sufficiently doubtful to justify, or rather to demand, the making of an exhaustive searchforthe Perthshire. Meanwhile let us hope that she will come safely out of her trouble, What has happened to her suggests that science should endeavour to devise the simplest and most effectual means for enabling these huge steamers— practically without sailing power —to make headway when overtaken by like accidents. The little canvas which the Perthshire carries would be sufficient to bring her to port m moderate weather if it were riot that her propeller is dragging astern and cannot be got rid of at sea. Is it beyond the talent of , marine architects and engineers to invent a method of attaching the propeller so that it could be dropped altogether, or stripped of its blades, m the event of the shaft being broken inboard? Even now there is a remedy, but only a partial one, to be found m the adoption of twinscrevrs. They are gradually coming more into use, but their greater expense is a serious objection. We have seen it suggested that large and practically unrigged oceangoing steamers should be compelled to carry on deck spars which could be utilised for spreading canvas on m case of emergency, but there are several weighty objections to the plan. They would be greatly m the way, even if room could be made to stow them; much time would be consumed m setting them up and rigging them; and no matter how much canvas was spread, the propeller would still drag astern, and a voyage with such a drawback might be'almost interminable,