DISASTER FEARED.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1779, 18 June 1913, Page 7

DISASTER FEARED.

TO A GISBORNE TUG. WRECKAGE REPORTED. IHSlixaoo-uoimooMY tnwa_na«a3»nj ig London, June IG. Lloyd's agent at Penzanco reports that a lifebuoy, and piece of a boat, both marked "Tonnui, Glasgow," four lifejackets, an da pieco of iteak panelling have been found at Saint Just, GJ miles from Penzance. A WELL-EQUIPPED TUG. (By Telojraph — Press Association.) Gisborne, June 17. The Tonnui referred to is probably tho Gisborne Sheepfarmors' Company's new tug which was reported u few days ago to have left the Clyde for Gisborne. fiho was in command of Captain Sewell, of Gisborne, and carried a crew of a dozen men. The Tonnui is a well-equipped ocean tug, built by Messrs. Wm. Chambers and Co., of RnHierglen, a well-known Clyde firm of light-draught shipbuilders, and constructed under the personal supervision of Captain W. B. Sewell, the company's nuirino superintendent, who went Home specially for the purpose. She was reported to be a first-class Clyde job and perfectly well equipped for the long voyage to New Zealand. Tho Toanui is a single-screw steel tug, about 90 tons, powerfully ongined, and equipped with modern salvage plant. Mr. do Lautour, chairman of directors of tho Sheepfarmers' Company, when approached this evening, stated that whilst the news was disquieting the company was hopeful that it would get more favourable information in a few hours. Advice had been received that there had been heavy weather on tho British coast and that vessels were sheltering. The company would be fully advised as to tho situation by its Home correspondents. Captain W. B. Sewell, who iB bringing out the Toanui, is an experienced mariner. Ho figured in tho mishap to tho s.s. Pilbarra, of which vessel he was second offioer, when that boat broke her tailshaft off tho West Australian coast some ten years ago. He first came to Gisborno as master of tho s.s. Kotere, a vessel purchased by the Gisborno Sheepfarmors' Frozen Meat Co., Ltd., ds a cargo steamer for working the East Coast ports. On tho ICotere I>eing purchased by another shipping company, Captain Sewell was appointed marine superintendent for tho company. Captain Sewell is a married man and his wife and two little sons reside in Gisborne. As far as is known ho was the only New Zealandcr aboard. No list of the crew is available here. Tho vessel left Glasgow on May 30 and steams at between 10 and 11 knots.