POSSIBLY WARATAH WRECK

Hawera Star, Volume LIII, 15 June 1933, Page 5

POSSIBLY WARATAH WRECK

PLANE LOCATES DARK OBJECT

SEARCH OFF NATAL COAST

(United Pres?) Association —By Electric Telegraph

Copyright.)

CAPE TOWN, June 14

An aeroplane with a marine surveyor aboard left Durban on Tuesday in an attempt to locate an obstruction on tlie sea bottom off the Umcababa River, Natal, which recently holed a passing vessel. The aeroplane was flying at 2000 feet above the sea when the isurveyeor saw a large dark object 185 feet long and 45 feet broad, which is believed to be a submerged wreck. Durban opinion inclines to the view that it is the remains of the ship Waratah, which was .lost about July 28, 1909, mi route to Ca.pe Town. Further steps are being taken by the Admiralty.

The Lund (Blue Anchor) steamer Waratah left Durban on July 26, 1909, in eontiiiMation of her voyage from Sydney via. Melbourne and Durban to Oa.pe Town, and afterwards disappeared completely and inexplicably. Beside the cirew the Wainacta'h had oil hoard 54 passenger's, men, women .and children, including three New Zealanders, Mrs Harvev, of 'Gisborne, her son and sister. A. liner which subsequently arrived at Gape Town from Durban reported that she had encountered cyclonic weather and mountainous sea.s. The Waratah, which was under the comma,nd of Captain Übery, was built in 1908, and had a tonnage of 9339, while her length and beam were 465 ft. and 59.2 ft. respectively.

Much speculation was indulged in as to the probable reason of the Waratali’s disappearance, as not a trace of wreckage was ever found.