NO WORD OF VALKYRIE

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 853, 23 December 1929, Page 9

NO WORD OF VALKYRIE

AUCKLAND YACHT ON WAY FROM SUVA HEAVY SEAS ENCOUNTERED No word has yet been received of the Auckland yacht Valkyrie. 18 days out from Suva on the return voyage to Auckland. It is probable that the vessel lias met with extremely heavy weather on the voyage south, according to advice received by The Sun from its correspondent in Suva Strong winds have recently blown off the New Zealand coast also. The Valkyrie first set sail from Suva on November 31, a Saturday, but heavy seas were encountered from the moment the reef was passed. This was observed by the steamer Tregonell. bound from West.port. OfiT Mbeqa Island, the seas became mountainous, and the yacht was compelled to return on Monday. December 2. Captain Ernest GiUlng, Messrs. David Sale and John Petersen, and two men who signed on at Suva, as able boatmen, E. Geros and K. Oaks, comprised the complement when ho Valkyrie again cleared Suva on December 5. After the first arduous experience, Mr. Petersen said he was unwilling to be on board again but his inclusion in the complement was announced. When the Valkyrie left Auckland for Fiji many months ago with a party of Aucklanders, it took the unusually long time of 34 days to make Suva, after a difficult voyage. Several of her passengers on that, voyage liavo notv returned to New Zealand. Since then, the Valkyrie lias become a famil liar vessel in Suva Harbour. Eleven days are considered to be a reasonable time for the Suva-Auck-land voyage as the Valkyrie hasi auxiliary power.