LOSS OF THE WARATAH.

Mataura Ensign, 17 December 1910, Page 5

LOSS OF THE WARATAH.

BOARD OF TRADE INQUIRY. 31 ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.— COPYRIGHT PER UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION. Received December 17, 9 a.m. LONDON, Dec. 16. At the Board of Trade inquiry into the loss of the Lund liner Waratah, a twin-screw liner of 9000 tons, built by a first-rate firm in 1908, and sailing under good ownership, which left Port Natal on July 26 last year on an 800mile run to Capetown, and disappeared completely, about 300 persons being aboard, a letter was read by the owners which informed the builders that Captain Tlbery (who was in command) was convinced that the stability of the vessel was less than that of the Geelong. A PASSENGER'S DREAM. Received December 17, 9.15 a.m. LONDON, Dec. 16. Mr Peck, the builders' director, testified that tlie owners did not complain respecting the vessel's behaviour on her first voyage. They complained about her inability to shift from one deck to another without ballast. He convinced them that he)- stability was equal to the Geelong's. Captain Clarke (emigration officer) testified that Captain llbery after the first voyage in the Waratah said she was a very satisfactory vessel. His exact words were, "A very handy ship." Claude Sawyer (a passenger on the vessel's last trip) testified that the Waratah rolled heavily after leaving Adelaide, and several passengers were injured by falling on the deck. The vessel had a jerky roll and was slow in recovering herself. He dreamed three limes that lie saw a man with a long sword and that the Waratah was struck by a rolbr and disappeared. This decided him to leave the ship at Durban. He considered that she was top-heavy. Mr riemiet, who was third officer on the Waratah's maiden voyage, said there was nothing extraordinary in the vessel's behaviour. She listed four or five degrees. He left because he was promoted to another vessel. Mr Laing : Did you ever tell anyone you left because of some forthcoming alterations which would take two months? Witness: No. A lady in the body of the court cried: "Yes, yes! You told me and my husband."'