AWARUA FOUND

Hokitika Guardian, 20 September 1926, Page 2

AWARUA FOUND

DETAILS OF THE RESCUE. UY TELEGRAPH —PRES 9 ASSN., COPYRIGHT. WELLINGTON, Sept. 19. All is well with the small steamer Awariia. With the vessel four' days overdue, from the Chatham Islands, anxiety as to her safety was being felt, but all fears were allayed shortly after 11.30 o’clock on Saturday morning when „H.M.S. “Dunedin,” which was dispatched from Hauraki Gulf, reported by wireless that she had picked up tho distressed steamer just north of Gisborne, and that she was standing by her until the weather moderated. The members of the Awarua’s crew are reported to be all well, and'they arc being supplied with provisions. The full text of the message received by t!ie Marine Department from Commodore G. I’. C. P. Swabev who is in command of the “Dunedin,” is as follows:—“Am standing by Awnrua, 82 miles, 133 degrees Fast Cape. Am supplying her with provisions. Will take her in tow when weather moderates.” In reply to a query addressed to him by the wireless operator at Wellington, Commodore Swabev stated that all hands on the Awarua were well. The location mentioned by Commodore San hey in his message is about 70 miles to the eastward of the gable end of Foreland Promontory, situated about half-way between Gisborne to the south and Tolaga Bay to the north. Judging from the position in which she was found, the Awarua lias been at the mercy of the wind. On Tuesday night, a steamer, apparently the Awarua. was reported to be off Wellington. The theory advanced is that she was caught b.v a strong westerly wind, am was carried through the Straits. Apparently she was then caught by tho southerly which came up later and was carried up the East Coast. After the wireless message announcing tile rescue had been received from Dunedin, the Acting Prime Minister, Hon IV. Downie Stewart, sent the following wireless telegram to Cammodoie Swabev:—“Congratulations on your prompt action on the finding of the Awarua. It relieves all anxiety and reflects great credit on you hiyour officers and men. The Minister of Marine particularly desires me to thank you on his Ix-luilf.” latest news. I\ ELLINGTON. September 20. Ihe latest with regard to the disabled steamer Awarua is that H.M.S. Dunedin is towing her to Wellington ■mil expects to arrive here this morning.