A BOAT IN DISTRESS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 109, 4 June 1909, Page 2

A BOAT IN DISTRESS.

IN COOK STRAIT. AN INEFFECTIVE SEARCH. By Telegraph,—Press Association. Wellington, Last .\ight. Captain Watson, of the Blenheim, whica arrived 10-uay, reports mat hi* picked up Hie steamer Wuuiu.u disabled in ,C<iok Strait. The Blenheim towed the Hoouon to the ucnmy ot Cape PaiJiser and then had to lei her go, owing to the shoreless of coai. me U'ootton had a sea anchor out wneu tne Blenheim steamed away.

Captain Watson states that he crossed the Wairau bar at 4.1i0 p.m. yesterday, and at 0.2U he sighted a vessel in distress. {She was carrying uvo red ligiils, iiring rockets and exhibiting Ilare-ups. On drawing near her, and nciug some seven miles out of his course to the south-west, Captain Watson ascertained that it was the Kaiapoj steamer wmitton. He asked if he could render any assistance. Those on board said the; ship had broken down, and asked to be! lowed to Wellington. With great dillicnlty the Blenheim drew alongside, near enough to throw a line on board. "A still' X.N.W. sea was running at tae time and made towing extremely hazardous. Captain Watson cmild not discover precise details, as those on board of both vessels were too busy with towing. The Blenheim towed the Wootton till 0.45 this morning, and she cast off then about IS miles south of Pencarrow. There was men heavy northwest weather blowing through the strait. Captain Watsou had to leave tius Wootton where she was, because he. i had not enough coal to take both vesj sets into Wellington. The weather was j making the passage very slow, as Die I vessels were against a strong head, wind all the time.

The tug Duco left shortly after 2 o'clock, and returned between 8 and a to-night. It reports having searched the coast line for 22 miles south ot Penearrow, but saw no traces of the Wootton. Those on board the Duco could see several miles further along the coast. There* was a heavy westerly gale blowing, with heavy seas. The steamer Duchess will probably be despatched to search to-morrow moruing. The Wootton (Captain Scott) is a wooden vessel of 300 tons, owned by the Kaiapoi 'Shipping and Trading Company. She left.'Wellington lust Thursday for Jfydia Bay (Pelorus Sound) and Lyttelton.