THE LOST MATUNGA.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 4814, 11 March 1918, Page 6

THE LOST MATUNGA.

MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE. When the full story of the lost steamers of the Pacific comes to be written, some romance will be centred round a bottle picked up on the high seas (says the Melbourne Argus, in referring to the vessels sunk by the German’ raider Wolf). Just when relatives and friends of those on the Matunga had reconciled themselves to the belief that there coukl be no hope, and even the naval authorities took the gloomiest view, a mysterious message came from the deep. ' At first it was regarded as a hoax, but when dates and names came to be examined by experts it was realised that most important information had been miraculously made available. In the bottle, it is understood, was briefly set out the story that the Matunga’s company had been made prisoners of war, and that survivors from other destroyed steamers were with them. Beyond the most meagre facts, all was mystery. It puzzled navigators that the bottle should have been found so far from the probable scene of any raider’s activities. but the sea has strange ways and even the doubters came to believe in the end that there was still hope for passengers and crew. What additional information the Admiralty possessed will probably be disclosed later but about a month ago the Australian Navy Department informed those concerned that news which was considered reliable suggested that the Matunga had been captured, and that there was no reason to suppose! the deaths of passengers and crew.