The Dawson news., 1925-09-22
OEREL|CT SHIP ROAMS
THE SEAS TWO YEARS
NOTED CREWLESS BOAT is
EXPECTED TO DRIFT INTO
WEST INDIAN WATERS.
FIRE FAILED TO BURN HER
Governor Parr, Deserted in Storm,
Sets Record for Length of Time
AAoat. Last Heard of on Coast of
Africa Nearly Year Ago.

Africa Nearly Year Ago.
WASHINGTON, D. C.-Men who
igo down to the sea in ships are specu-
lating about the early appearance in
West Indian waters of one of the most
noted derelicts of modern times.
While the navy departments hy-
geographic Office considers it unusual
in these days of rapid radio communi-
cation and special coast guard patrol
for a derelict to remain afloat longer
than week., the four-masted British
lumber-laden schooner Governor Parr
has been rowing the high seas for near
ly two years
Derelict Makes Notable Trip.
The last definite report received OF
the Governor PARIS whereabouts was
in October Of last year, when she
foated crewless down along the coast
of Africa, but the British steamer
Tortugero late in July sighted dere-
lict 800 miles northeast of the Virgin
Islands.
If this proves to be the Governor
Parr, which seems likely, it will be the
first derelict on record in the hydro
graphic office to practically cover the
circulatory drift of the north Atlantic.
The Governor Parr set sail from
Ingramport, N. S., for Buenos Aires
on September 27, 1923. She encoun-
tered rough seas, lost two of her masts
and the American steamer Schodack
on October 3, 1923, took off the crew.
Floating in the transatlantic ship
ping lanes, with cargo OF million
and half feet of lumber, the derelict
was picked up by the coast guard cut
ter Tampa early in January, 1924, and
was headed for Halifax Due to rough
weather and the weight of the water
logged vessel the derelict was cast
adrift.
Survived Ordeal of Fire.
In August of last year seamen from
the British steamer Zaria sighted the
Governor Parr and boarded her, set
ting her afre. She apparently survW-
ed this experience, for later she was
reported off the coast of Portugal and
lin October last off the coast of Africa,
near the Canary Islands.
If the Governor Parr has continued
to remain afoat men conversant with
oceanic conditions believe she would
likely be carried by the northeast trade
winds and the north equatorial current
across the tropical north Atlantic and
probably will be next sighted near the
Lesser Antilles.
Derelicts Hard to Sight.
England and the United States
jointly patrol the north Atlantic ocean
for derelicts, but naval men point out
that these are hard to sight. Often
derelicts are mistaken for porpoises
and some of the forsaken craft turn
turtle, their hulls being covered with
barnacles and seaweed, giving them
the color OF the sea.
An old American warship, the Ka-
tahdin, which boasted of an under
water Prov, was used in the latter
part of the last century to ram dere-
licts, because she was enabled by pc
culiar construction to sail close to
these menaces to navigation.
General use OF radio has revolution
lied the dissemination of information
concerning derelicts. Urgent notice of
menacing derelicts forwarded to the
photographic office by the captain of
vessel is almost Immediately broad
cast through the radio sending sta
ton at Annapolis.