THE OBAN DISASTER.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8021, 6 January 1906, Page 2

THE OBAN DISASTER.

DIVER MAKES A DISCOVERY rKIt PRESS ASSOCIATION - . Welmxotox, January 2. Marlin, one of the seamen supposed to have perished when the Oban fouudered while being towed in to AYellington Heads during the gale last Sunday night, reported himself to the port shipping master to-day. Though he had signed on the articles of the Oban when she was previously in port, he did not join the craft. It is now believed that a son of Captain MacDonald, harbourmaster at Bluff, was shipped in place of Martin, and (lint he went down with the vessel.

A photograph found by a diver in the captain's cabin has been identified as that of Captain Mac Donald and his

The diver to-day discovered that the Oban's anchor and chain were missing, and it is believed by seafaring men that this supplies a clue to the cause of the vessel coming to grief, particularly as the ring stopper had carried away.

It is believed that when the anchor gripped the bottom it dragged the ship's' bows down, and as the strain on the tow rope increased she was gradually forced under until the chain was dragged away. An axe lying on the deck forward is thought to indicate that the crew had made a futile effort to cut away the I tow line before being washed overboard.