STEAMER FOUNDERS.

Hokitika Guardian, 3 July 1923, Page 3

STEAMER FOUNDERS.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CAtILE ASSOCIATION THEORY OF DISASTER. SYDNEY, July 2 The Sumatra was last sighted at midday on 1 iie-day last. She was beating northward in heavy weather. A watch luiiuil on Air I'owtroll s body slopped at 8.20 the same night, which is believed to have been the hour the disaster occurred. Captain Hell was clothed with an overcoat over hi*> pyjama-,, indicating that he- had hurricdlv hcen called. He was 31 year- of age. He haves a widow, a rc-idi-IU -.1 Sydney. The belief in shipping circles is that I |i,. Simla 1!':!. with her w< il decks, was unable to g-l re! ~i" the water she -hipp d in the l.cavy storm she ctlc,mill ,'red. anil rpitckly lil'e.d Despite the official statement to the contrary, one of the Sydney newspapers revives the story that the Sumatra v,- a - an uu-.ea w ~rt h s boat, and wa- until to face tiie open sea. The paper publishes a statement by a former captain .oi l lie ve-scl in -upport of thi - content ion. Captain V. A. Will -, l-rimrb. skipper of Ihe Sumatra, -la; - '■ e-scl then was falling in Hi''". with age. She was utterly un-ea w• i i ay. and onto she actually -auk -“ me ''-hart to on tltc side. Further wreckage lit- , been wa-iicd asliore at Crescent Head Imm the Sumai ra. WIRU.I.IMS MAN S 11.1. I.l'( K. SYDNEY, July 2. Il transpires that the w ireless operator aboard the Sumatra was .Mr O. Egan and not Mr Ab-lntosli. Mr l'.gan was nil leave IralM Rabaul, where tie wa- employed hv the Amalgamated Wireless Company. lie had I.cell urgeiulv recalled, and had replaced Air .Mclntosh on the Sumatra at the last moment. 'I II El ill Y SUITOR! ED. SYDNEY, July 3. No more bodies have be-'ii. recovered from the Sumatra. This stippi rls the theory that only Hell ami few in II tor. It i- lielievi'd that the rest nl tin- erew were below ami went down wil h the ship. All the Pa pels repeat the story that the Sumatra was not sea" on hy, but the allegations arc stoutly denied by tile manager of the New G'liuei Trade Ageiicv at Brisbane.