THE WAITOTARA'S CREW

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3115, 20 June 1917, Page 5

THE WAITOTARA'S CREW

THREE STEAMERS SEARCHING FOR THEM. By Telegraph—Press Association. Dunodin, .Tuue .19. Prospects aro good as to tho early, rescue of tho crow of tho Union Company's steamer Waitotara, which was abandoned owing to firo early yesterday. There aro now three steamers searching for tho men, numbering forty, who took to the open boats two hundred miles from land. Two of tho relief steamers wcro about tho same distance from the sceuu when they undertook the search. . • It is interesting to mention that an Allied Government sent it vessel to search for tho Waitotara's crew. It is erpeoted thatnows of the safety of the crew will be received not later than Thursday, Aiost of tho valuable cargo, including printing paper, was for Australia. It is understood tho fire broke out amongst tuo copra. THE CREW SAFE. Later. Tho Union Company lias been advised by tho British Consul at Noumea that he has received advice by cablegram from tho captain of tho Waitotara that all tho crew have been picked up by a French steamer. Tho captain of tho Waitotara states thai' sho was burning foro and aft, and would probably burn for four or fivo days. He hopes that 6ho will not be a total loss. Sho will bo towed to if it is considered sho will bo worth salving. Captain D. Ritchie was in command of tho Waitotara. which has been abandoned at sea, and -ho had with him as officers: Air. M: Darcy. chief; Mr. H. C. Milne, second; Mr. D. G. Davis, third. Tho ougineers were: Mr. J. MLean, chief; Messrs.- W. King, H. G. jlsaac, and H. M. Cameron. Tho captain, officers, .and engineers of tho Waitotara aro well known in New Zealand, all bavin" been engaged in vessels in thocoastal or intercolonial trade. Captain Ritchio was in command of tho Tarawcra for somo time until he joined the Waitotara in an oversea service. Mr. M'Lean, the chief engineer, held a similar, position on the Union Company's Warrimoo.