In Peril at Sea

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 296, 18 May 1914, Page 5

In Peril at Sea

TRAMP STEAMER AT MERCY OF THE WAVES. BOATS DESPATCHED FOR HELP. CREW SHORT OF FOOD AND WATER. By Cable —Press Association —Copyright Received IS, 12.30 a.m. Sydney, May 17. The steamer Prinz Sigisnnmd brought a portion of the crew of the tramp steamer Cairnhill from the Bismarck Archipelago. Tho Cairnhill left Maura Island on March 27 for Germany. When four days out, the tail-shaft broke. For nine days the engineers made unavailing attempts to repair it. and it was decided to send boat to Rabaul, in Herman New Guinea, for assistance. Thr. !■ boats, in charge respectively of the chief and third mates and the boatswain, containing twenty-four men, including nineteen Chinese firemen, departed, leaving Captain Mc-odie, the second mate, the chief and fourth engineers, and tho chief steward aboard. Tfie Cairnhill's boats met a severe storm, and separated. After being buffeted for over a week, and suffering much from exposure and shortage of water and food, they all reached Rabaul, where the Chinese and the chief mate will remain to assist in the search for the Cairnhill, which, when the boats left her on April 9, was 150 mile'j north of New Mecklenburg. Steamers sent from Rabaul returned I from an unsuccessful ten days' search.