DEEP SEA MYSTERY.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 15321, 17 September 1920, Page 6

DEEP SEA MYSTERY.

SENSATIONAL EVIDENCE. LONDON, Sept. 3.— Evidence similar m ■ detail to the plot of an old-time melodrama was given at tho marine inquiry into tlie loss of the coastal steamer Glena- : lough, near Belfast, hist -March. It was stated that the vessel was only worth £19,000, but was insured for £61,000. Captain Hall, formerly master of the Dorothy Talbot, owned by the same firm, said that D. J. Rees, the secretary, told him, m the presence of Edward Plummer, master of the Glenalough, thafc it was worth four figures to them if the vessel were lost. .Plumraer, who was a brother of Captain Hall's wife, told her next day thafc he would have nothing to do with the plot. The witness subsequently was dismissed, and reported the story to the Board of Trade. Mrs Hall .testified to having been told by her brother that W. J. Jones, manageivof the company, wanted him to sign on as cook. Ho was to extract some rivets and sink the ship. She also said that Jones instructed her not to sail on the ship. She presumed he desired to save her life. Ho added : "If your husband and brother* do their duty we will pay them four figures)" The witness said she had been told by her brother thafc Jones was thinking of buying and sinking two other ships. She believed that her brother was honesfc, but that he had been led astray by Jones. Plummer gave evidence absolutely denying the testimony of Hall and Mrs Haii, stating that the desire-of the latter was to ruin him. He admitted writing to Jones: "I have shipped a crew who are the pick of Canningtown, all having been at some time m prison." Hr also received a letter from. Jones m which the passage occurred: "Do not bo anxious to proceed to sea. Our difficulty is to get covered by insurance." . Shown his own statement thafc the ship was lost through the fouling of the wheelchains, Captain Plummer said he was induced to sign a blank paper. v Tlie inquiry is proceeding.