THE BIG SEA SEARCH.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1381, 6 March 1912, Page 4

THE BIG SEA SEARCH.

FOR S.S. HIMITANGI, PLANS OV THREE CAPTAINS, (Uy TclcErsLph-Prcss Association.! ChristcllUl'cll, March 5. H.M.S. Pioneer left Lyttelton at 1! p.m. to-day for the Chatham Islands to search for the .steamer Himitangi, which left Lyltcllon on January lil for the Islands, and has not finee been heard of. The warship, which took in 3f>o tons of coal yesterday, will proceed direct from Lyttelton to the Chatliams, and, steaming ai. 11 or VI knots an hour, should arrive nt (lie Islands on Thursday morning at Commander Stopford, of the Pioneer, has agreed to go to the Chatham Islands at the request of Sir Joseph Ward, who was approached by the Chatham Islandds Fisheries Company, owners ui' the lliini-. tangi, on Saturday last. Tho Pioneer has powerful wireless telegraph apparatus, and' instructions have been issued for tlm Post OOico station at Wellington to krep in constant communication with the warship, which will be able to transmit any news of. the missing steamer from Iho Chatliams, or advico of her movements between New Zealand and the Islands. All steamers fitted with "wireless", plants mi the i\e\v Zealand coast, inclndili!{ the Wllilfl Star liner ionic at Lyttelton, have been asked to keep in touch with the warship. Mr. M. E. Fuller, shipping manager for Messrs. Levin and Co., of Wellington, ioriner owners oi the Uimitaugi, and agents for the Chatham Islands !■ ishericn Company, had an interview with Commander Stopford this morning, and gave him full details of what had l>ooll done 111 regard to searching for the Himilaugi. Mr. Fuller informed a reporter that there was considerable, anxiety in shipping' circles, and amount relatives and friends of the passengers and crew of the Himitangi regarding the safety of tho vessel. The niinitauß-i, which was specially built for Messrs. Levin and Co., has always proved herself a strong nnd seaworthy vessel, nnd il is thought that sho must liavo met with somo mishap on tho rocky coasts of the Chatham Islands.

The Gertie, which loft Lyttelton Heads last Wednesday night, whs carrying 100 tens of coal, a quantity of salvage gear, and full supplies of blankets and provisions. In the event of (ho Himitangi being totally wrecked, the Gertie wus to ret urn at once to Wellington with her passengers and members of her crew. If the Mimitangi was disabled, or could be refloated in the event of her being ashore, the Gertie- -was to tow the steamer back to Wellington, in which case she may not reach thorp for some days. Tho Amokura, which has also gono to the Chathams to search for tho Himitangi, will co-operate with tho Gertio. If thero is no sign of the Himitangi at (he Islands, or ifslio had left there, tho Gertio and Amokura will both go cruising in search of tho vessel.

H.JI..S. Pioneer is expected to arrive at the Chatham Islands on Thursday morning, and, if it is found that the passengers and crew of the Himitangi are safe, shn will return to Lyltolton, where she. is due mi Satnrd.-yy about noon. In the event of the Himitangi being ashore, the warship will render all necessary assistance, but, if the steamer is missing, the l'iom-er will probably co-operate ia tho search cruise.

WIRELESS MESSAGE, CIUTISL']}- OVKB 100 MILKS OUT. PVhcn (ho Gertie left Wellington at 19 p.m. on February 27 it was arranged that in (he event of the Himitangi being asho.ro at the Chatham Islands or wrecked on the coast, the Gertie was to have brought tho crew direct back to Wellington, and it was thought that she might show up early this niorning. At an early hour tin's morning tho lighthouse-keeper at Cape Palliser was communicated with by telephone, and reported Hint there was no sign of a boat anywhere on tho horizon. At 0.15 a.m. the local wireless station reported that IT.M.S. Pioneer was about 110 miles east of. LyUeltoii. She Was experiencing light east-north-east breezes, accomiiiuiied by a slight swell. The warship was going under <?asy steam and a good look-out was being kept. Up to the time that the message was dispatched there was no sign of anything unusual,]