A MISSING STEAMER.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2266, 11 August 1908, Page 3

A MISSING STEAMER.

UNION CO’S HAWEA OVERDUE. VESSELS DESPATCHED IN SEARCH. Tlio non-arrival of the UaS.S. Co.'s Hawea, bound from Newcastle to Gisborne, coal-laden, is causing considerable amount of anxiety hero, aim it is thought that she may havosuffered in the recent heavy gale in the Tasman Sea. Other vessels have reported very rough experiences in the Tasman Sea during the last ten days, but not one of them sighted the missing collier. • The Hawea left Newcastle on Monday, July 27th, and is thus now considerably overdue. She has on board a cargo of coal for Gisborne and Napier, 100 tons being consigned to the Gisborne Sheepfarmers’ Frozen Meat Company. The Union Company’s Flora, from Auckland, and the Haupin, from I o Araroa, have both been despatched in search of the missing vessel, and the s.s. Rakanoa, which will shortly leave for Newcastle, has been instructed t 0 depart from her usual course inti spend a few days in search. [Press Association.] AUCKLAND, August 10. The Union S.S. Co.'s steamer 11awca. is causing anxiety for her safety on account ot her protracted passage from Newcastle to Gisborne, and arrangements have been made to send out search steamers. The Hawea left fourteen days ago and has not so far been reported. It is thought- possible that she may have broken flown as, under ordinary circumstances, she would have arrived at Gisborne within seven days of her leaving the -New South Wales port. The s.s. 1 jora Jett Auckland at- 7 o’clock to-night to search for the overdue steamer. She will proceed direct to Cape Maria \ an Dieman, and if no news is available of the missing steamer at that point, Jie Flora will zig-zag round the coast in search of the Hawea. The s.s. Haupiri is also under instructions to proceed in quest of the Hawea. iShe is to be despatched from Gisborne to the East Cape, where she will commence a zig-zag courseto Capo ■Maria Van Dieman. The Huddart-Parker Co.’s steamer Wimmera, which left for Sydney this evening, and the Victoria- (sailing for the south to-morrow) will also keep a look-out for the overdue steamer. DUNEDIN, August 10. If the s.s. Flora sees nothing of the s.s. Hawea before reaching Cape Maria she will zig-zag across to Newcastle. The Haupiri has been instructed to proceed from East Cape, ind make a zig-zag search up as far 1S the Three Kings. ' On reaching there she is to report to Capo Maria. The Wimmera, leaving Auckland today,.and the Moana, sailing from Sydney on Wednesday, for Auckland, will keep a look-out, and, if necesary. the Moan a will take, extra time for the passage. The Rakanoa leaves Auckland on Wednesday, and vill spend three days’ exHa time on the passage. No anxiety is felt as to the ultimate afety of the Hawea , as. she is well -found and stored. The recent heavy weather has probably caused some of her machinery to break down. WELLINGTON, August 10.

Captain P. C. -Read is in command >f the overdue steamer Hawea, and he has with him the following officers : Chief, Mr. B. B. Irwin; second, Air. it. A. AVilliams; third, Air. W. Cossentine; chief engineer, Air. J. McLean; second, Air. A, Carman; third, Mr. F. Ritson.