SHIPS DISAPPEAR.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 June 1921, Page 5

SHIPS DISAPPEAR.

MYSTERY OF THEIR FATE. MODERN PIRATES SUGGESTED. By Telegraph.-Tress Assn.—Copyright, Washington, June 24. Further examination of the records leadn the Commerce Department to believe that five ships mysteriously disappeared off Cape Hatteras. The Department of Justice and the Secret Service are also working on the case. One theory is that the ships were seized by Soviet agents and sailed to Russian ports. It is even suggested that modem pirates are responsible. ANOTHER THEORY. RUM-RUNNERS SUSPECTED. MESSAGE FROM CAPTURED SCHOONER. Received June 23, 5.5 p.m. New York, June 22. With reference to the mysterious disappearance of vessels one theory is that they were captured by rum-runners for illegal trade from Cuban ports, which are carrying on a tremendous business. In connection with the schooner William Deering, which recently drifted ashore, the only living thing on board was a parrot, alongside which was a bottle containing a message stating that the schooner had been captured by an oil-burner resembling a chaser, which took off everything after handcuffing the crew. The message adds that there was no chance of escape and the finder to notify the Deering’s owqers- •. Officials advance the theory that one or more of the missing ships may piu*posely have disappeared with the object of engaging in gun-running to Ireland. The disappearances extended over nine months. The British Admiralty and the French Ministry of Marine have been asked to assist in the search for the missing vessels.—Reuter Service. The Commerce Department is investigating t’he mysterious disappearined 'of three cargo ships in the vicinity of Cape Hatteras in calm seas and. clear weather, all within two months. Previously a sailing vessel, with all sails set and the cargo untouched, ran .ashore, with the entire crew missing.