THE MISSING WARATAH

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 182, 6 September 1909, Page 2

THE MISSING WARATAH

THE UNDERWRITERS AND THE SEARCH. Ey Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright Received 5, 5.5 p.m. London, September 1. , A Hireling of London .underwriters discussed co-operation with the Commonwealth Government in the search for the Waratnh outside familiar traces. Though the scheme is likely to be warmly supported, there i« a feeling among underwriters which is extremely pessimistic. It is still possible to re-insure at (111 guineas. Numerous oilers from Australia have been received during the past few days to write the risk at thit rate.

RECOLLECTIONS Oh 1 THE VESSEL . 'Some interesting awolleotions od" the trip 'which hj" niri'de on tlie "maiden voyage of flic Wiiratii.li Hire related ?>y Mr. (). C. IViid-e, who :ip|«'(ir« to have lie™ :i close oWrvcr of the general working of tl»' ship and life <>n iioaod. " (.liiptajn. lllx'ry." «iys Mr. lieale, "is a v/afchfii'l, earnest, and cool commander, wbu uralimit'iiin-s excellent di.sciptene'without a display of .authority. His dii'i'f "ll'iwr. Mr. Owen, was previously on lire C'ouiiiHW'weiiltli. another lllu'e An, hoy liner, iim-l vm.< co.ii.vidi-.red by his I cnl!(Vt,!!iK"s to lie an e.\ceptj<iiiii''ly .-ice.iraiie and careful nflviijitor. eminentlyliiieliJiec! tin Hike <«nimn>i:l of a .'■hip. In sewrn-l admirable discipline was nuiinteiiM'il. Tire engineering stalf consists of sterling and industrious men, from the chief engineer to the flremci. I 'was .frequently in the company of all ot them and mnmy beoiinnc my personal friends. Chief-engineer Hodd'cr himself received tile whole of the machinery when it was erected in the ship, ami the cnlttro mass was delivered in 10 hoius, While she was under the shcarlegs. It is a magnificent instnillnfjiiooi, througb-iut of the most modem type, and it worked with perfect smoothness throughout th° vioyiiige.

"Upon the trial of the. Warotah a portion, of the main steam-piping was considered by Mr. Hod'der to bo Inadequate, lamd it was removed on Ms advice, and replaced by more reliable work. She carries spaire sections of the,main driving shafts, witlh couplings of a new type to admit of .repairs and replacements' at sr|a that were Ibejfore deemed impracticable. She also carries a. fine jobbing la'tlm and powerful. diriHing machine, Tooth electricailly driven, and a handsome (■utifit of engineers' tools. " During our voyage a fire broke out in one of the coal tankers, and it 'was snibduod by tli« *fr' without flooding the bunkers, iwliicli would probably have leeji the last resort, had serious danger tlirenltened. It is perihaps not geaeraily knidwn that no inltoxicatihg Jiquor of any kind is permttfed to Ithe Workbig staff while tilt sea, and if, ais a treat in tile tropics, mm desires to send a botitle wf beer to each mam, the captain's permission must be obtained. The Waratah carrier mue.li top hamper, because of !*«• numerous decks far above the water, her enormous 'funnel, many boats and rafts, -waiter tanks, and some few shores. .Nevertheless, she. was very stable during Ithe 'wfliolc trip. ' Fiddles' wwe onco required on -the tables, and on my pot plants ftood tho whole -voyage."