Supposed Foundering.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume III, Issue 129, 28 March 1901, Page 2

Supposed Foundering.

iSyDNEY, Inarch 25. A quantity; of wreckage, including a piece of wood with “‘s.s. Federal, of Melbourne,” written in {Hpicil on it, and the body of a man,' were picked up off Gabo Island. <

The Federal is one of Messrs MeIlwraith, McEachran, and Co.’s fleet, and left Port Kembla on March 20 with a cargo of coal for Albany direct. The vessel passed Gabo the following afternoon, ' Mblboubne, March 26.

The steamer Peregrine has arrived, and reports that she passed the Federal a few miles north of Gabo Island. A heavy gale was blowing at the time. Possibly the man found was washed overboard, and the articles aupposeiLto be wreck were thrown to him. , % The Federal’s ownerrhave no information regarding *the vessel. The manager says that, viewing all the circumstances, be is almost driven to expect the worst. Had the man been washed overboard only, in view of the gale raging, be thinks that the captain would have signalled the safety of the vessel at the first opportunity. The steamer Surrey signalled Gabo Island a few hours ahead of the Federal, and bad struck the beginning of what was described as a terrific cyclone when 90 miles beyond Gabo Island, therefore the Federal might have got the full force of the hurricane.

She is due at Albany on Friday of Saturday. A message from Gabo Island tonight states that a lifebuoy marked “ Federal ” and a quantity of wreckage was washed ashore.

The body recovered was that of 4 middle-aged seaman. S It is still possible that the steantfS was swept by a gale, and that the and wreckage were washed overbear® but the almost general opinion B shipping circles, including that of owners, is that the Federal has foQV dered. ' ~ , B

The vessel was under the command of Captain Coull, and carried a crewoKr twenty-nine,- all told.