WAS IT THE WARATAH?

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9639, 3 November 1909, Page 5

WAS IT THE WARATAH?

STEAMER ON FIRE.

THE HARLOW'S STATEMENT

ANALYSED.

Received November 2, 8.5 a.m. LONDON, November 2.

"The Times" states that the committee of Lloyd's at first determined not to publish fuller reports of the Harrison liner Harlow in regard to a burning steamer seen off the African [coast, owing to Jack of substantiation. Private perusals, however, aroused conjectures, justifying the publication. A critical examination Bhows that if all was well, ihe Lund liner Waratah waß 190 miles from. Cape Hermes when the Harlow's -aotain saw the explosion?. But if an outbreak of fire had occurred during the day, the Waratah would undoubtedly have retraced her course, huggirg the coast, in order to beach the steamer and land the passengers. This woulJ explain the Clan Mac' In tyre and ihe Hallow sighting the vessel, though not the Guelph.

Those disbelieving the Harlow's narrative argue if the Waratah was on fire, and she retraced her course, she should have been sighted by the Clan Maclntyre, which had been passed, bound from Durban, earlier. "The Times" adds that if the re ported explosions occurrel only three miles off Cape Hermes, it was strange that nothing was heard at the lighthouse, and that no wreckage was found. The paper repeats the statement ttat, owing to difference of opinion between the captain and officers as to whether what the Harlow saw was bush fires, and inquiries at Durban failing to show that any ship was overdue, the Harlow's captain aid not report the occurrence till he heard that the Waratah was overdue. WELLINGTON, Nuvember 2. The lonic communicated on October 13th with the steamer Sabine, which is searching for the Waratah. The Sabine reported that she had seen no sign of the missing steamer.