S.O.S. SIGNALS IN COOK STRAIT.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18410, 17 June 1925, Page 8

S.O.S. SIGNALS IN COOK STRAIT.

THEIR ORIGIN A MYSTERY. ALL SHIPPING ACCOUNTED FOR. (PBKSS ASSOCIATION - TELEGRAM.) "WELLINGTON, June 16. The Government steamer Tutanekai returned to port this afternoon after searching tho area from which distress signals were said to have been seen on Monday night. Sho searched the area near Mana and Kapiti Islands, and Tho Brothers, but saw no trace of any disabled vessel, wreckage or cargo. The Arahura stood by near Titahi Bay until 2 a.m., when tho Tutanekai arrived, and then proceeded on her voyage to Picton and Nelson. It was at first thought that the S.O.S. signals might bo from the small steamer John, which was coming from Wanganui to Wellington. The latest information, however, is that the John is at Picton, where she is sheltering.. As the gale has now abated, sho may bo expected to come across the Strait to Wellington. Tho John left Wanganui at 7.10 p.m. on Saturday, and ran into the gale. Sho arrived 'at Picton at 1.45 p.m. to-day. The Kohi could not bo located, but ahout 6 p.m. information was received that sho was sheltering in the French Pass. Tha Wootton had been sheltering at Port Underwood since Friday. The Kapiti, which left Wellington on |Saturday for Wanganui, arrived thero yesterday. Tho trawler Futurist, which went out on Monday morning, was seen yesterday by the Titoki and the Trivercargill. The Waitomata, from Newcastle, was hove to for fifteen hours. The seas smashed the deck cabin and splintered the end of tho bridge. The Mocraki from Sydney had a very rough voyage towards the end, and the passengers were relieved when port was reached. All vessels known to bo on the coast arc now accounted for.

SEARCH FRUITLESS. COASTERS SHELTERING. (rEESS ASSOCIATION' TELBGHAJI.) BLENHEIM, June 1(3. With heavy weather raging in- Cook Strait, Quoen Charlotte Sound has become a regular harbour of refuge for Bmall coastal craft, among thoso sheltering at prosent being tho little steamer Cygnet, the Kohi, en routo from Havelock to Nelson, and the steamer John, of the Holm Line, while there arc four vessels sheltering undor Capo Campbell. Threo of theßo havo been identified as the Calm, Wootton, and Wairau. Tho fourth is a very small craft, and was believed to bo tho Cygnet, until that vessel turned up at Picton. Tho unidentified vessel is possibly tho trawler Futurist, about which somo anxiety has been felt, but no definite news can bo obtained. The arrival'at Picton at 1.45 of the John put an end to tho anxious fears which jiad been expressed as to her safety following on tho sighting of rockets in Cook Strait last night. The little yosßol left Wanganui for Wellington at 4.10 on Saturday, in company with tho Titoki and Invercargill, and struck the full force of the storm about', four hours after leaving port. The vessel was ompty, carrying no cargo, and though Capfain Hawick, on arrival at Picton, was not in a communicative mood, he admitted that he had never experienced anything liko tho weather encountered on Sunday and Monday. The John mado the lee of Stephens Island on Sunday, and anchored, there until this morning, when she again buffeted the storm, and reached Picton. Sho saw no sign of tho Titoki and Invercargill after leaving Wan ganui. The Eipa reached Picton from Wahga ; nui about 4 p.m. Sho left the northern port at" 5 p.m. yesterday, and' hugged tho coaßt to Kapiti. Then slid plugged. straight across tho Strait. The little vessel-Kohi left Havelock for Wellington yesterday afternoon, but was glad to seek shelter in Queen Charlotte Sound last night, coming in through the main entrance. Sho attempted to leave by the Tory Channel to-day, but had to. put back, and is lying at present off the whaling station at Te Awaiti. '•' Tho Arahura reached Picton from Nelson at 7 p.m., and proposes resunir ing her johrney to Wellington at 0 p.m., but probably will not attempt to enter Wellington harbour till daylight. When the vessel was entering Tory Channel on her run from Wellington, to Picton about 7.30 last night, a wireless mossage from Wellington asked if she could sco rockets in .tho vicinity of Cape Terawhiti. Captain Prosser had a. good look round, but reported lie could see nothing. About 10.30, after leaving Picton for Nelson, he received a further message directing him to procoed to the vicinity of Titahi Bay, where distress signals had been observed, and did so, cruising in the vicinity till daylight, but saw nothing.- At daylight the Arahura left the Tutanokai on the scene, and resumed her voyage. Neither the Arahura, the Ripa, nor the John, which were in the Strait last night, observed distress signals.