Plan to Destroy an Atlantic Liner.

Manawatu Herald, 14 May 1903, Page 2

Plan to Destroy an Atlantic Liner.

The New York police, _ in consequence of a letter which they received stating that the Mafia Society contemplated the destruction of an English liner,-made search, and discovered on board the Cunard steamer Umbria a box containing a hundred pounds of dynamite, fitted ; with mechanism which Was working, and had been arranged to explode in thirty-sis hours. DENIAL OP FENIAN COMPLICITY. The letter received by the Now York' police warned them that the Mafia Society had ordered the destruction of every steamer sailing from New York flying the British flag. The Oceanic was spared out of pity for the large number of women and children aboard. When the letter was received a hoax was suspected. The infernal machine containing ft hundred pounds of dynamite was of most ingenious construction. It was found on the pier, amongst the passengers’ luggage. The Clock-work was ticking away. The machine was promptly dropped „ into the sea. When examined at first it was discovered to fie scorched, suggesting that the intention was to burn the steamer* It is thought , that two Italians brought the box to the pier. The police, however, suspect Fenians, despite a denial by Patrick Ford.