THE LOSS OF THE WARATAH

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 223, 14 January 1911, Page 5

THE LOSS OF THE WARATAH

_«. SOME SERIOUS ALLEGATIONS. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. London, January 12. The evidence included a letter from Embrose, quartermaster on the Waratiuh's last voyage, to his parents, describing her as a splendid sea boat. Chapman, an engineer on her first voyage, declared that the vessel was steady and seaworthy. Sharp, who was on the steamer on her first voyage, said, the lifeboats were continually leaking, and had been patched, lie left the ship at Sydney because he was frightened, and would not return to her for a thousand pounds. The lifeboats were unlit. The chief officer predicted to him that the ship w'ould be somebody's coffin. He heard the boatswain say that the boats were unsafe, and that the ship would go to th« bottom in a storm. Pine], carpenter's mate, stated that the lifeboats were made of green wood, and opened out in the tropics. It was impossible to repair them, as there was no material aboard.

Witnesses testified that she was a comfortable ship. One stated that during her maiden voyage he thought the ship would not stand much punishment, but he was not friglitened. Mr. Scott, counsel, said that when Lund and Sons sold out to the Peninsular and Oriental Company, some documents were handed over and some probably destroyed, resulting in, confusion, which enhanced the difficulty of tracing documents.

London, January 12. Pinel, continuing his evidence, said the Waratah rolled considerably. She was like a cork on the water. THE TOTTENHAM GRANGE STORY. BIG LIST ON THE WARATAH. Received 13, 9.20 p.m. London, January 13. Reference was made during the course of the evidence to-day to the statement that the Waratah had struck near Kangaroo Island, South. Australia, on her first voyage. Chapman said he remembered hearing that the vessel -was close to the island, but did not think she touched. He left the Waratah owing to his wife's illhealth. Hammond, chief engineer, and Evans, chief officer of the Tottenham Grange, stated that when the bodies were reported, the vessel was put about and cruised for half an hour, but did not see any bodies. • • • "■' "■••''■■'•••!'<

Lyons, a steward, gave evidence to the effect that after leaving the Cape the Waratah had a heavy list for six hours, until the tanks were filled.