SEA GHOST

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVIII, Issue 45, 21 January 1928, Page 7

SEA GHOST

FISHER NETS DERELICT.

INTERNATIONAL RACER.

HALIFAX, Jan. 14. “The weirdest sight I have ever V nessed at sea” is how Captain Mylir - ', master of the fishing schooner Venus fa. describes tho sudden appearance, iollowed immediately by the disappearance forever, of a famous derelict, tho international schooner Columbia. Three years ago the Americans built tho Columbia, and with this vessel tho Gloucester fishermen challenged tho Canadian cod fishers in the international races, which take place each year. . Following these competitions the Columbia was entered in the regular trade, but foundered last August in a hurricane, the crew of 20 being lost. On Now Year’s night tho Venosta was trawling 120 miles off the Nova Scotia shore. The gear which was dragging for deep sea fish caught fast. Tho powerful tackle lioister away until the Columbia herself broke through the surFace of the sea before the astonished eves of tire Venosta’s crew. With masts erect and deck and sides gleaming and polished as if the ship had been launched yesterday, the derelict stood out clear, as Captain My lire turned the searchlights from stem to stern on the famous racer. The derelict hung a full minute, as the Venosta’s crew' stared aghast. Suddenly tho steel cables parted under the'strain of the heaving sea and again the Columbia sank to her watery grave to join her dead crew.