A STRANGE SIGNAL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9619, 12 October 1909, Page 5

A STRANGE SIGNAL.

BLUE LIGHT AND A ROCK&T. WAS IT THE DUCO? T1 e tramp steamer Lodorer, which put into Wellington for coal on Saturday night after an adventurous voy age from Bueno3 Ayre-i, pissed an uniridentified steamer last Thursday night to the north-westward of the Chathams.

In conversation with a "New Zea • land Times'" reporter, Mr J. D. Re id, second officer ot the Lodorer who was inrormed of the disappearance of the Duco, and questioned v jsther signs had been seen of any vessel in the vicinity of the Chathama, stated that on the night mentioned, a vessel the size of which could not be distinguished in the dark, was visible steaming to the eastward. The strange steamer was some miles off, but those on board the Lodorer were able tu discern a mast headlight, and an unusually strong light in the position generally occupied by the "anchor light." This light seemed as powerful almost as an arc lierht.

After the steamer was abeam she burned a "bluo light," and a few moments later sent up a rocket, which emitted a single bright star. Mr Reid remarked "We euuld not understand the signal, whirh we took to be a private signal, and we answered with a 'blue light' to indicate that they had been observ<d. However, we placed no special significance on the incident," The steamer Ripple is due back at Lyttelton from the Chathams to-day or to-morrow. Her. arrival is anxiously awaited for news of the missing Duco. By Telegraph—Press Association. WELLINGTON, Octob?r 11. The Marine Department is of opinion that the vessel seen by the steamer Loderer on Thursday nigh*, which it has been .suggested may have been the Duco, was probably the Amokura, which would be in that vicinity at that time.