MYSTERY OF THE SEA.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 20032, 23 August 1920, Page 7

MYSTERY OF THE SEA.

DISAPPEARANCE OF LARGE UNKNOWN VESSEL.

SEARCHING STEAMER FAILS TO LOCATE WRECK.

[Pun Press Association.} GISBORNE, August 23. The postmaster at Tolago Bay reports that a party that went out from Rotoiahi yesterday saw on the reef a big vessel, with two masts, but no sign of a funnel. The vessel was about five miles off tho land. Heavy surf was breaking all over her. The party returned to tho shore in tho evening. It was then found that the vessel had drifted about two miles further in. . was no light nor any sign of life on board, ami up till last night no Vfrockago had como ashore. The position of tho vessel is between Rolotahi and Poutne, about eight miles south of Tolago Bay, and two miles north of Cable End Foreland. Parties went out at, daylight this morning, but have not returned yet. Later. There has been no further information so far, as to the identity of tho vessel seen on tho Poutae Rocks yesterday. Mon from tlio station and a party from Tolago Bay have gone out to search the beach. It was owing to tho absence of telephone facilities on Sunday that Graham’s were unable to report the incident earlier. VESSEL HOT VISIBLE. NO TRACE OF WRECKAGE. [Per Press Association,] GISBORNE, August 23. Tho Pohcma returned to port at ten o’clock without being able to throw further light on tlio reported wreck. She arrived off Cable End Foreland at two o’clock this morning, and stood by till after six. At that time the steamers Putiki. from Hick’s Bay, and Tiroa, from Gisborne, were in tho locality making a close inspection of the coastline, but up to the time the Poherua left they apparently had discovered nothing. Rototahi station reports that tho men who went to the beach early this morning have returned without finding any trace of wreckage on the beaches or obtaining any sight of the vessel that was visible yesleiday. GISBORNE, August 23. Investigations by parties from Tolaga Bay and the neighbouring stations disclose absolutely no trace of any wreckage on (ho coast, and tho opinion ia firmly held by local shipping authorities that a mistake has arisen. AUCKLAND, August 23. The Arahura, which arrived at noon, saw nothing of the wreck. EARLY MESSAGES. [Per Press Association.] , GISBORNE, August 22. Word was received by tho police this evening that a steamer was in distress near Poutao Rocks, about ten miles south of Tolaga Bay. ’Blasts from the steamer’s whistles were heard at four o’clock on Sunday morning. Reports vary a« to the size of the vessel. Further word received by the police near midnight stated that the funnel had gone. There were no signs of life or lights, ad seas were breaking over the vessel, which mis deep down in tlio water. Tho Monowai loft Gisborne at noon, and the Arahura at 1 p.m., both for Auckland, and they may sight the vessel. The manager of the Union Company dispatched the collier Pohorua from Gisborne at 10.30 to-night and the steamer Putiki from Tolaga Bay at 10.45. Both are speeding to the scene of the accident. It was feared that tho vessel was the ICia Ora, which has been loading at Tokomaru Bay, but a wireless was received from that vessel at midnight stating that she is all right.