MISSING STEAMER.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 June 1921, Page 5

MISSING STEAMER.

FAILURE TO ANSWER WIRELESS. ANXIETY FOR THE VESSELS TO KEEP A LOOK-OUT. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. In connection with the missing steamer Canastota the first attempt to call her by wireless was made last Saturday, in the shape of an inquiry as to when she expected to reach port, but no reply was received. Yesterday the ship’s agents (Dalgety and Co.) sent out a request to all ships within range asking them to keep a look-out for the steamer and report to Wellington, while her owners have also been communicated with, asking whether a search steamer shall be sent out. The Moerakij which left Wellington this morning, was instructed to alter her course slightly in keeping a look-out for the overdue steamer. The Waitomo left New Plymouth on Tuesday for Newcastle, and the Waihora is due here on Saturday from Newcastle, and both have instructions to try to sight her. Inquiries were made at the office of the Amalgamated Wireless, Ltd., as to the possibility of the Canastota being unable to communicate with other vessels or land stations if her wireless gear was in order. The New Zealand manager of the company stated that he did not know what the Canastota’s equipment was, but if it was a typical American marine set there was little doubt that it could be heard at any time, and it certainly would be heard at night, even if soire breaK-down in the engine-room made it necessary to fall back on the emergency set. The British and Australasian emergency sets are usually of much less power and sending range than the regular equipment, but typical American outfits include an emergency apparatus equal in power to the regular equipment. If any messages were being sent out from the Canastota he had no doubt she would be heard by other ships at sea or by the Australian or New Zealand land stations.

The steamer came to Sydney direct from New York, and loaded there a quantity of general cargo and cases of benzine consigned to New York, and left that port with her cargo space about half filled. She was to load at Wellington about 250 tons of general cargo and 60,000 eases of benzine to be returned to America with that lifted in Sydney. ’ A suggestion has been matte that H.M.S. Chatham should be sent to search for the missing steamer. Sydney, June 23. All steamers in the’Tasman Sea have been sent a wireless message to keep a look-out for the Canastota, which it is feared has met with a mishap. She sailed for Wellington on June 13 and has not Answered wireless calls.