IS IT THE WARATAH?

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 139, 15 June 1933, Page 11

IS IT THE WARATAH?

OBSTACLE ON SEA BOTTOM SEEN FROM AIR OFF NATAL COAST ' CAPE TOWN", June 14. ' | .'. Aji aeroplane "with' a marine surveyor j on board left Durban :on Tiiesaay in an. attempt to locate an obstruction on I tlio sea bottom off the Umeababa Eiver, j on the Natal coast/which Tcccntly holed a passing vessel. • ' ' ' '• , Tho aeroplane, flying at 2000 fcet.j abovo' the' sea, saw a large dark .object 185 feet long and 45 feet "broad, which-is believed to bo a submerged wreck. Durban opinion inclines to the view that it is the remains of the linOr Waratah, which, "was ?ost about July 28, 1909', -\vhilo en route to Cape Town.' , . ' ' '.-'■-.'

Further .steps are lieuig talceirbytls AtTlniralty to investigate the object.

The Luiul (Blue Anchor) steamer 'Waratah loft Durban on July 26, 1909, in etmtinuatiqn of hm- ,voyago from Sydney, via Melbourne, and Durban, to Capo '-Town,! .and afto>-wards disappeared completely ana inexplicably from tho sight or! mail. . I Beside the crew, the Waratah liad on board -fifty-four passengers, men) women, and children, including three New Zealanders, .Mrs. Harvey, .of Gisbornc, her. son, and sister. A liner which subsequently arrived at Cape Tovni from Durban reported that she had encountered cyclonic weather and mountainous seas. The Waratah, which was under the command of Captain Ilbery, was built in 19,08, and had a. tonnage -of 9339, while her length and beam -\vero .465 ft and 59.2 ft respectively. .. Much speculation was indulged in as to the probable reason of the Waratah's disappearance, as not a trace oi wreckage was ever found. . _