LOSS OF THE MATUNGA.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 14450, 9 November 1917, Page 4

LOSS OF THE MATUNGA.

A MYSTERY OF THE SEA,

MAY BE RAIDER'S VICTIM.

Tho report of the Superintendent of | Navigation, who has conducted an inquiry at Sydney into the disappearance of the steamer Matunga, has been released for publication. The vessel, one of the Burns, Philp line, left Brisbane on July 27 for Rabaul, where she was due on August 7, and a wireless message was received from her saying that she expected to arrive on her duo date. Since this message nothing has been heard of her nor of the 60 passengers who were on board.

In the report it is stated that the message, which purported to have been sent from the ship, must have been despatched when, calculating her speed, she was about 300 miles from Rabaul. Burns, Philp and Co. sent the Massina from Sydney on August 19 to search for the missing ship. She returned pn September 19, after a cruise of 31 days, and the master reported that he had not seen a sign of the Matunga. Other vessels carried on the search without result. Among these was tho Morinda, which should have spoken the Matunga near Rabaul. She was recalled from tho search, having nothing to report. Confidential papers of the navy cpncernnig the disappearance of the vessel show that complete efforts were made to obtain tidings of the missing ship. The only thing found was a new electric light bulb of the kind used on the Burns, Philp boats. The inquiry showed that there was no doubt of the stability of the Matunga. The cargo was well stowed — the Plimsoll mark being 6in. clear.

The finding of the Superintendent of Navigation is as follows: — "Having given the evidence the moat careful consideration, I can only find that this fine vessel left Sydney well found and equipped m the best working order, and that all life-saving appliances were m good order. Similarly she left Newcastle and Brisbane m seaworthy order and condition, and. I can only find that the cause of her disappearance is unknown.

"I recommend that the definite finding be postponed for three months, by! which time something definite may be ascertained, either by hearing of. the vessel's capture by the enemy, or by finding some wreckage, or other trace of the ship." The report states that there* was nothing m the holds of the ship of a dangerous or inflammable . character. On deck there was a quantity of benzine safely stowed. In the magazine on the bridge there were four cases of dynamite, carried safely, and so certified by inspectors at Brisbane. There is no evidence m support of the theory that an infernal machine was on the ship. The loss of the vessel may have been due to a seismic disturbance, as Rabaul lies near the branch of the mam volcanic sewer between Japan and New Zealand. The Director of Sydney Observatory says that ( the instrument showed an earthquake on August 6 probably near New Guinea, but it is difficult to conceive that a steamship of the size of the Matunga. could have been destroyed, .without leaving a trace, part.rularly m the confined space of water i within whicli the vessel was* when she sent out her wireless message.