Many newspapers of the day carried the following article in relation to the search for the Waratah.
NOTHING TO REPORT.
Captain J. W. Steel, of the steamer Gryfevale which arrived at Freemantle this morning 5th November 1909 from New York, reports having sighted the ss Sabine while on passage along from the Cape. The Sabine is one of the vessels searching for the missing Lund's Liner Waratah, when the Gryfevale passed Sabine the ships were in Lat 39degrees 19 minutes south Long 60.6 degrees east (60 degrees 36 minutes east), which would be about 1,600 miles from Natal (Durban), or eight days steam out from that port. The time was 6.00pm on November the 1st, by means of semaphore the Sabine asked, "what ship?" and received the answer, "Gryfevale of Glasgow." The former signalled:
"have you any word of the Waratah?" and the answer went back "No". The Sabines next message was: "please report us to owners, Donald Currie and Co, we have nothing to communicate, called at Crozet Group, found nothing; now working way to St Pauls Island, were are you bound?" The Gryfevale; "Freemantle". Sabine "report me to Lund's or agents, Fremantle, thank you goodbye".
Mid ocean encounter of Sabine and the Gryfevale.
ss Gryfevale starboard side view
At the time of the encounter the Gryfevale had a crew of 43 on board which comprised of 9 white officers and one white ships carpenter, the rest of the crew were Chinese.
DECK OFFFICERS ON BOARD ,
Captain J.W.Steel
1st officer B. Collie
2nd officer G.P. Pearson
3rd officer James S. Campbell
4th officer John Crawford.
Port side view of the ss Gryfevale built 1906 wrecked 1917.
ss Gryfevale starboard side view
At the time of the encounter the Gryfevale had a crew of 43 on board which comprised of 9 white officers and one white ships carpenter, the rest of the crew were Chinese.
DECK OFFFICERS ON BOARD ,
Captain J.W.Steel
1st officer B. Collie
2nd officer G.P. Pearson
3rd officer James S. Campbell
4th officer John Crawford.
