FISHING SMACK MISSING.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2296, 15 September 1908, Page 2

FISHING SMACK MISSING.

TWO MEN ABOARD

THEIR SAFETY DOUBTFUL,

When tho fishing smack Meteor sailed from Gisborne early on Thursday morning last, under the control of two fishermen, Olsen, a Norwegian, and Waltine, a native of Finland, the old fishermen of tho bay remarked that she was carrying too much, Bail*and was badly ballasted. Tho vessel was headed lor Wliarcongaonga, and was expected to return to port, on Friday night, but "up to a late hour last night no tidings had been heard of the craft, though telegraphic and telephonic inquiries have been made all along tlie coast. The Tuatea went to Paiitu on Thursday afternoon, hut Captain Hawke report# that lie saw nothing of,the smack, and it is loared tho craft ban capsized, ns a westerly breeze was blowing all day and the vessel was heavily ballasted with fire irons, which are very unsafe. Tlie Meteor, which was owned by Mr. Robert Slioater, of the Shamrock, was a. fairly old vessel. She a good boat in her time of about'.3J tons register and carried two masts. Tlie Meteor did not carry an engine. She was partially covered in with hatches, and had recently been fitted out with now sails. The Meteor has had a somewhat eventful career. She originally belonged to the Union Company as an opon boat, and was used for tendering passengers over the bar before the Snark’s time. Captain A. D. Chrisp also had her as a surf boat on the Moa. On one occasion, while posts were being shipped at Pakarae, the boat capsized in tlie surf and narrowly escaped being knocked to pieces. She was brought down to Gisborne and repaired, after passing through one or two hands, and subsequently was sold to Captain Solvander. This owner decked tlie boat and gave her her first name, “Dora,” about 11 years ago. After running the Dora lor a lew years Captain Solvander disposed of her to Captain Palmer, who further strengthened the yacht by placing a number of extra ribs in her. Captain Palmer sold her to a company of youths in the town, who used her lor' yachting purposes, altering the name, and latterly Mr. Sheater came into possession of the vessel under the name of Meteor. It is reported that she had been leaking of late, and liau been undergoing repairs. The missing man Olsen is said’ to be a capable hand at sea ; but his mate, who is a bushman, is said to have a very poor knowledge of the woric of a sailor. Some of the fishermen who know the boat- state that she was likely to become dismasted and blown out to sea, while fear she lias been capsized. On the passage from Tologa Bay, Captain Benton, of the Squall, kept a sharp look-out, but saw nothing of the boat-._ Sergeant Hutton telegraphed to Napier and other places inquiring if anything had been heard of the - vessel, but up to a late hour she had not- been reported. Other fishing smacks have kept a lookout for the Meteor about the usual fishing grounds, but there are no tidings of any kind, and it is feared she has been 'lost. Neither of the men on board have any in Gisborne, -and probably not in New Zealand.