SEA MYSTERY

Otago Witness, Issue 3511, 28 June 1921, Page 19

SEA MYSTERY

CARGO SHIPS DISAPPEAR. WASHINGTON, June 20. The Commerce Department i 6 investigating the mysterious disappearance of three cargo ships in the vicinity of Cape Hatter., s in calm seas and in clear weather, all disappearing within two months. Previously a sailing vessel with all sails fit and with a cargo untouched ran ashore. The entire crew was missing. June 22. Further examination of tlie records leads the Common c Department to believe that live ships have mysteriously disappeared. The Department of Justice and the secret service are also working on the case. One theory is that tin ships wen s«*ized by Soviet agents and sailed to Russian ports, it is even suggested that modern pirates are re.-ja nsible, NEW YORK, June 22. With referem o to the mysterious disappearance of vessels, one theory is they were captured by rum runners in order to condmt an illegal tiade from Cuban porta which are carrying on a tremendous business in rum. In connection with the sclfconer William Peering, which recently drifted ashore, tile only living thing aboard was a parrot, alongside which was a bottle containing a message stating that the schooner had been captured by an oilburner resembling a. chaser, which took off everything alter handi lining the crew. The message added t cat there was no chance of escape, and asked, the finder to notify tile William Deering's owners, l'lies officials advance l the theory that one or more of the missing ships mav purposely have disappeared with the object of engaging in gun-running to Ireland. The disappearances have extended over nine months. The British Admit ally and the French Ministry of Marine have been asked to a; fist in a search for the missing PIRACY THI'.gRY > niENGTHKNLi). NEW YORK. June 22 The Ooir.nK.- c Department has lisle-1 20 ships as missing during the last six months, in dueling t-c British tan.ov.i Ottawa and Gymerie and the British schooner General Horne. The other vessels include those flying the American, Italian. Japanese. Danish. Russian, Spanish, Norwegian. I tench, and Brazilian flag.-. The piracy theory has lreu strengthened bv the’ State t ><•).;YtmeiitV .-tatement conlining the American schooner ( aro! A. Peering, which was found iff North Carolina in such a condition that foul play was suspected. The crew veie missing. Cm April 11 a bottle was picked up oil Capo Hatteras with a nit-s.ige reading : “ Peering been captured by oil-burning boat, M,m< thing like chaser.” When tire Carol A. Peering was dis covered all tlie piovUiors. clothing, and supplies had been removed, and the lifeboats wen. missing. The State Department believes that other vessel# may have met a similar fate. The mystery is causing a. sensation in shipping -hole's. Lie yds Ts joining in the investigation. WASHINGTON. June 24. The Weather Bureau has produced records which apparently quash the theor.es of other departments that pirates or Soviet agents are responsible* for the disappearance of vessels. The records show that dr,ting the period iu which 20 ships vanished violent storms raged in that pint of the Atlantic. It is also stated that wireless distress calls were picked up from certain of the missing vessels. However. there are still some aspects of tlio case which the Weather Department cannot explain. The Bolshevist and buccaneering theory to account for tlie missing ships has received a great impetus from the receipt of an official report of the seizure at Cuxhaven of a steamer bv a Soviet crew and its confiscation in the name of the Soviet Government. The ship was returned to her owners and the ringleaders sentenced, but the ship was retaken by another Soviet crew, who were also captured and sentenced.