THE FIFESHIRE

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 74, 18 September 1911, Page 5

THE FIFESHIRE

AN OFFICER'S STATEMENT. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. Received 17, 5.5 p.m. London, September 16.

The Fifeshire's third officer, Clinton, interviewed at Plymouth, stated* that when he last saw the boat she was going to windward and nearing the shore. He wa.s sure the craft would founder when she turnod seawards.

Apropos of the wreck of the -steamer Fifeshire, it is interesting to note what a writer in Fairplay, in June last, had to say about Cape Gardafui, the spot on the African coastline where the vessel met disaster. In describing a trip from Aden to Mombassa, he remarked as follows:—"Steaming along the coast of

Somalihnd the barren, rock character of the land is noticeable, and except for a few native settlements it is uninliabitatcd for the major portion of the way. Cape Gardafui, a bold promontory, which stands out well, we passed about noon on the second day out from Aden. There ought to be—but there is not —a good lighthouse at that point. The fact is, local opinion is averse to any sort of lighthouse on principle, as contrary to public policy and detrimental to vested interests. This feeling was shown in a practical way by the intelligent natives when some few years ago the Government persisted in erecting a lighthouse there. Tins building was demolished and the keeper devoured—for the local inhabitants are cannibals to a man. A second effort was made, and again the same result As there seemed a fail chance of this up-and-down business continuing- ad infinitum, the authorities gave way—-'.i ml incidentally it is suspected that candidates for the kcepership of that lighthouse were showing a disposition to put rather a high price on their "services."