THE LOSS OF THE ERROL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 171, 23 August 1909, Page 2

THE LOSS OF THE ERROL.

CONSULAR ENQUIRY OPENED. By Cable.—Preaa Aa»ociatlon.-OopydjjW Received 22, 8.5 p.m. Sydney, August 21. Thc Norwegian Consul-General hall an enquiry into the loss of the Ertol, which was lost close to the Middletoft Reef some weeks ago, when the captain, his wife and children and several of the ercw lost their lives by starvation tfld drowning. Johansen, one of the survivor*, stated that the captain told, him just before the disaster that he estimated the ship's position a degree south of thtCw Middlcton Reef. No observation kif been obtained for two days owinf to the overcast weather. No intoxicant* were used either before or after th« wreck. Thc captain was a good diMip> linnrinn. Several witnesses stated that Palmar lind the captain's ring. Palmer, in his evidence, at first denied this, but afterwards stated that Lawrence gave hint thc ring. It was tho mate's watch at :1" • I ime of the disaster. Lawrence stated that he found tht | ring near the captain's bodv. He sail lie might have given it to Palmer. Witness recounted the deaths, and stated he put the bodies overboard when lift * was extinct, except the two children. They were missing in the morning, how-' ever. He thought thc mother must Irnve thrown them overboard during the night, as the youngest was tied With a strand of rope. He thought the mother was crany.