AN ILL-FATED LINER

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3162, 14 August 1917, Page 5

AN ILL-FATED LINER

CUMBERLAND SINKS WHILE BEING TOWED TO PORT. Sydney, August 13. ihe steamer Cumberland, after tern, porary patching, was floated, and was being towed to Twofold Bay (on tho coast of New South Wales), when sho encountered a heavy 6ea and sank oft' Green Cape (a fow miles south of Twofold Bay) in 35 fathoms of water. The crew was rescued by the vessels acompanying her. OVER HALF-A-MILLION LOSS. (Rec. August 13, 10. p.m.) Sydney, August 13. The Cumberland and her cargo were valued at over half a , million, while salving material, valued at several thousands, was also lost.—Press Assn. fThe Cumberland, which left Sydney on June 5, on her voyage to England, was seriously damaged early the following morning, when a few miles off Gabo Island, by explosions in one of tho holds, and had to be 'beached two or three hours later to prevent her sinking. Tho Cumberland was one of three fine new vessels, aggregating 30,852 tons gross, which visited Wellington'on their maiden, trips early iast year. Constructed to the order of the Federal-Shire Steam Navigation Company, the Cumberland 'wa3 a steol twin-screw, four-masted vessel, of 8992 tons grosSi and was a very fine example of a modern morchant steamer. Equipped with a oruiepr stern, she was 474 ft. in length, COft. in beam, with a depth of 28ft. Her engines consisted of four steam turbines, geared on to two screw shafts. In addition to large oapacity for cargo, the vessel was fitted with refrigerating machinery, and could load considerable quantities of perishable foodstuffs, suoh as chilled beef, lamb, rabbits, and butter. With regard to general merchandise, eho was equipped with all the latest appliances for the rapid handling of cargo. Sho was- launched at Glasgow in March, 1915, and commanded by Captain A. M'Gibbon, made the trip to Australia in good time, averaging 13.7 knots per hour, on an economical coal consumption. There is no doubt in Australia that the Cumberland was damaged by bombs, placed on board under a calculation that they would explode when well at sea. But she was delayed two or three days in Sydney Harbour, and had onlv reached tho Victorian coast when tho explosion occurred. Tho Federal Government ' offered .£2OOO ami the New South Wales Government JMOIIO for information leading to tho discovery of tho bomb plotters.]

INDUSTRIAL UNREST IN BRITAIN London, August 12. A White Papnr has been issued containing Mr. J. Barnes's summary of tho reports of the commissions on industrial unrest. Mr. Barnes says the commissions found a strong patriotic feeling amongst employers and employed throughout tho country, who wore determined to help the State in the prosent crisis. Revolutionary feeling was not entertained by the bulk of the men; on tho contrary, they appreciate the national difficulties.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn,