The Canastola.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 June 1921, Page 2

The Canastola.

SEARCH IN TASMAN SEA. (by TELEGRAPH —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION] WELLINGTON, June 23. In connection with the missing steam or, the first attempt to call the Canastola was made last Saturday in the shape of an inquiry as to when she expected to reach port. Yesterday the ship’s agents (Dalgety and Co.) sent out a request to all ships within range, asking them to keep n lookout for the steamer, and to report to Wellington. Her owners have also been communicated with, asking ‘whether a search steamer shall be sent out. The Moeraki, which left Wellington this morning, was instructed to alter her course slightly in keeping a look-out for the overdue steamer. The Waitomo left New Plymouth on Tuesday for Newcastle, and the Waihora is due here on Saturday from Newcastle. Both have instructions to try to sight her. Inquiries made at the office of the Amalgamated Wireless Ltd., as to the possibility of the Canastola being unable to communicate with other vessels or land stations if her wireless gear were in order. The New Zealand Manager of the Company stated that he did not know what the Canastola’s equipment was, hut if it was a (typical American mairne set, there was little doubt it could be heard any time, and it certainly could be heard at night, even if some breakdown in the engine room made it necessary to fall hack on the emergency sets. The British and Australian emergency sets are usually of much less power and sending range than the regular equipment, hut the typical American outfits include emergency apparatus equal in power to the regular equipment. If any messages were being sent out from the Canastola fie had no doubt that she would be heard by other ships at sea or by Australian or New Zealand land stations. The steamer came to Sydney direct from New York, and loaded there a quantity of general cargo and cases of benzine ,consigned to New York, and she left port with her cargo space about half filled. She was to’ load at Wellington about 250 tons of general cargo and 60,000 cases of benzine to be returned to America, with that lifted in Sydney. A suggestion has been made that H.M.S. Chatham should be sent to search for the missing steamer. SEARCH FOR CANASTOTA. WELLINGTON, This Day. H.M.S. Chatham left Wellington this morning for Auckland, proceeding up the West Coast of the North Island. She will deviate as far as her coal supplies will allow, in order to search for the Canastola. It is understood H.M.S. Veronica, which is at sea to th e northward of New Zealand will aid in the quest for the missing vessel.