NOT LOST AT SEA

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 617, 20 March 1929, Page 11

NOT LOST AT SEA

Missing Yacht Arrives at Suva SCIENTIFIC EXPEDITION (From THE SUN'S Correspondent) SUVA, March 11. Although reported “Lost at Sea” by the American Press, the auxiliary sailing yacht Illyria arrived at Suva on March 11 from Boston. Captain Boutilier, her master, tells a dramatic story of how the news was “gently” conveyed to his wife. She lives in Melrose, Massachusetts, and on the evening of February 8 she went to the wireless set to spend a few spare minutes listening-in. She tuned in and the first words which came across the air and burned into her brain were: “The yacht Illyria is reported to have been lost at sea with all hands.” A nervously-inclined woman at all times, she was almost overcome. Then, apparently, common sense came to her aid. Only two days before, another message had come to her over the air, this time through the Post Office, being a message from the captain to say that all was going well. Inquiries wee-r set afoot and it was soon found that there was no truth in the report. The yacht is sailing on a scientific expedition, inquiring into submarine life. It is financed by Mr. Cornelius Crane, owner of the vessel, and a member of the New York firm, Crane and Co., and is under the scientific auspices of the Field Museum, of Chicago. In addition to Mr. Crane the following are included in the ship’s party: Dr. W. B. Moss, medical doctor; Mr. K. Schmidt, head of the scientific party; Dr. A. I-lerre, Curator of the Aquarium and the Lei and-Stamford University Museum and particularly interested in sea fish: Mr. S. Shirtleff. photographer; Mr. W. Weber, artist; Mr. F. Wonder, taxidermist; Messrs. C. R. Reay and M. Fairbank, two friends of Mr. Crane. The ship left Boston on November 16 and called at a number of ports on the way south to the Panama Canal. On the way from the Panama to Suva three points were touched at: the Marquesas, Tahiti and Raratonga. Good weather was experienced all the way south as far as Raratonga, where a “blow” was encountered, which did not, however, give Captain Boutilier any grave concern.