THE SCENE OF MANY WRECKS.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12765, 16 June 1911, Page 5

THE SCENE OF MANY WRECKS.

SOUNDING ROUND THE THREB

KINGS.

TERRA NOVA ENGAGED

(Per Press Assnciatioio)

WELLINGTON, Juno 15. Hie Antarctic exploring ship, Terra Nova, which has been chartered by the Marine Department for coastal survey work,' will ibegnt operations;,in thevicinity of 'the Threo Kings and Capo Maria Van. Diemen early in \ July. The vessel will takesoundings over an area to the westward' of the Three Kings and between the Three ■ Kings and Cape Maria Van Diemam As a very large number of '.soimdinoss have to be taken, it is very likely that the whole of the three months for .which the Terra Nova has Be"e:i engaged iVill be spent in. the one. locality. The Thi'ec Kings have been selected as the scene of operations because fcliere, are very few. * sounding of this vjciniiy*bn tho chart. In order, to enable ship-masters to approach the .Three Kings with greater safety in dirty weather an*l to definitely ascertain their position, the Department recognises that" complete; soundings should be taken. There is l'O lighthouse on .-'the..'". Three , Kings,, which is a very difficult spot to light even if ,it should, be' deemed advisable to do so. The Terra Nova in her purvey work will coVer 'an area varying from '40 to 50 miles in length to from lo to 20 miles in width or, roughly, 800 square miles. The western part of, the Tlireo ' Kings was the scene o*F tho wreck of the/' Elinjra'mite (Cart. Atwood) on November 9th, 1303. The Larque Eklerland sprang a leak and was lost about three miles north-east o' the Three Kings on December 14th, !POG. The Loch Lomond on a vo^a^o from Newcastle to Wellington is' be-lie-ved to have foundered io tho f«i;h» vieinitv, as some wreckage Mas picked un between-North Cape a«ul ~ Cape Maria Van Dieman, supposed to have formed part of that vessel.