AN S.O.S.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 48, Issue 14705, 13 July 1922, Page 5

AN S.O.S.

SHIP IN DANGER. OFT NEW CALEDONIA. The following wireless message was aecived last evening by the Secretary of the Post and Telegraph Department: — “9.46 p.m. S.O.S. from France, posi--tion latitude 21.28, longitude 165.03. Canadian Transporter proceeding to help; should arrive noon, Thursday; other ships have position.” A subsequent wireless message revived by the Secretary of the Post and TelegTajih Department stated: —“Following intercepted; 9.40 p.m. S.O.S. from sailing ship France; position, Nord Boulari, followed by Surreeif Contrariet; position, latitude 21.28 S., longitude 165.03 E. Australian stations dealing with the matter, and the Canadian Transporter, 220 miles S.W. of ..France, going to assistance.” The France’s position, according to •the wireless message, is close to the south side of New Caledonia. The Fiance, which is owned in France, sailed from London on February sth for New Caledonia. She _is the largest sailing vessel afloat, being .a five-masted barque of 5010 tons gross. The Canadian Transporter, which is .going to the assistance of the France, is on her way from Newcastle to San F*rancisco. She is a large steamer of • 5458 tons gross, under the command of Captain Watson, and is owned by the Canadian Government. VESSEL CONSIDERED LOST. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. Two further messages have been received by wireless re the ship France. One received at 8.13 a.m. stated: “At 4A a.m. the France reported, ‘Weather • clear, wind south, light; sea rough; on reef. Will save the crew at daylight fo; avoid men being wounded by the .falling of masts or yards.’ ” , „At 4.49 a.m. the France informed, the Canadian Transporter: “Do not consider assistance necessary.” The latter has now resumed her voyage. Another message received at 8.22 •aays: “It is considered assistance unnecessary. The crew will endeavour to land at daylight.” At 1.25 a.m. the France advised the Canadian Transporter that the vessel may be considered lost. The crew is to be saved. At 4.57 a.m. the France advised the Canadian Transporter that it was considered that assistance was un-' necessary. The crew will endeavour to 'land at daylight.