THE MISSING WARATAH.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2737, 16 February 1910, Page 5

THE MISSING WARATAH.

CABLE NEWS.

DOUBTS. AS TO VESSEL SEEN OFF MARION ISLAND.

United Press Association —Copyright SYDNEY, Feb. lb.

Several experienced mariners are disinclined to believe that the vessel seen under canvas from Alarion Island was the Waratali. The officers of the steamer Geelong declare that a vessel of the Waratali’s size and build could not have rigged sufficient canvas to give her steering way, let alone drive her at the rate of three knots an hour.

POSSIBLE EXPLANATION OF THE MYSTERIOUS STEAMER.

(Received February 16, 12.1 b a.m.) MELBOURNE, Feb. lb.

A marine officer, who recently fifteen months at Kerguelen Island, states that the Norwegians maintain a prosperous whaling station there, and employ' a 3000-4011 steamer, the Joanne d’Are, to convey the produce to Capetown. He thinks that this vessel, perhaps driven south of her course by bad weather, may have been the steamer sighted at Alarion Island.

THE SEARCH STEAMER DELAYED.

The Premier has received a cable message from the Premier of Natal, stating that the Wakefield will be unable to leave Durban till Thursday week at least. Aluch indignation is expressed locally at the delay.