A DISABLED STEAMER

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2519, 4 June 1909, Page 5

A DISABLED STEAMER

PICKED UP IN COOK STRAIT.

LOST AGAIN.

(Per Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, June 3. Captain Watson, of the Blenheim, which arrived to-day, reports that lie picked up the steamer Wootton disabled in Cook Strait. The Blenheim towed the Wootton to the vicinity of Cape Pallisef, and then had to let her go owing to shortness of coal. The Wootton had a sea anchor out when the Blenheim steamed away. The Wootton (Captain Scott) is a wooden vessel of 150 tons. She left Wellington last Thursday for Nydia Bay (Pelorus Sound) and Lyttleton. She is owned by the Kaiapoi Shipping and Trading- Company. Captain Watson states that he crossed the. Wairau bar at 4.35 p.m. yesterday. At 6.20 he sighted a vessel in distress. She was carrying two red lights, .firing rockets, and exhibiting flare-ups. On drawing near to her, and some seven miles out of his course to the south-west, Captain Watson ascertained that it was the .Kaiapoi steamer Wootton. He spoko the vessel, and asked if he could render any assistance. Those on board said the ship had broken down, and asked to lie towed to Wellington. With great difficulty the Blenheim drew alongside,; near enough to throw a line on board'. A stiff N.N.W. sea was running at the time, and made towing extremely hazardous. Captain Watson could not discover precise 'details, as those on board both vessels were too busy with the towing. The Blonjieim towed the Wootten till 6.45 this morning, and she cast off, being then about eighteen miles south of Pencarrow Head. There was a heavy north-west wind blowing through the Strait. Captain Watson had to leave the Wootton where she was because lie had not enough coal to take both vessels in to Wellington. The weather was making the passage very slow, ns the vessels were against a strong head wind oil the time. The tug Duco left shortly after' 2 o’clock, and returned between 8 and 9 to-night. She reports' haying searched the coast line for 22 miles south of Pencarrow, but saw no traces of the Wootton. Those aboard the Duco could see several miles further along the coast. There was a heavy westerly gale blowing with heavy sea. The Duchess will probably be despatched to search to-morrow morning.