ENCASED IN ICE
_______
IS IT THE WARATAH?
MESSAGE FROM ANTARCTICA
Mawsons Startling Dicovery.
MELBOURNE, FRIDAY.
Late last night the operator at the Melbourne wireless station was startled into tenseness by a thrilling wireless message from Dr. Mawson, which appeared to indicate that the lost steamer Waratah had been discovered in the Antarctic regions. The first part of the message was distinct, but as he proceeded climatic conditions in the south changed, and the remainder of the message came through very dis-jointedly. Still, enough has been received to indicate that Dr. Mawson had made an important discovery, which might probably lead to the clearing up of the fate of the Blue Funnel liner Waratah which has for so long been wrapped in mystery.
The message which was received reads as follows:-
"Party including myself, exploring south main camp hundred thirty miles, came upon a long narrow inlet, broadening into a large bay covered with smooth ice, snow. Masts apparently top funnel, large steamer seen projecting, snow opposite shore eight miles off. Three attempts (a number of words here missing) retrace. Ascended steep (more words missing) boat ice north westerly. Four hours difficulty travel, unable ... blizzard approaching ...direction camp... lifebuoy... name Waratah; apparently recently... encrusted ice, not attached ... indications tracks... owing heavy snow...camp safely. Preparing start... equipped, provisions fortnight. Blizzard raging ...instruments indicate moderate." (here message abruptly ended.
Whether there are any survivors from the steamer is not stated, but in one portion of the message the words "Indication Tracks", occurs, and again the message tantalizingly breaks off. Some hope is held out that the survivors may exist. The vessel was well provisioned, and enough stores and fuel would remain to enable the passengers and crew to exist in the bowels of the vessel for many months. Nothing further, however can be gleaned on the matter until the full text of the message has been received. The operator is now endeavoring to get in touch with the expedition.
"NO REASONABLE DOUBT."Whether there are any survivors from the steamer is not stated, but in one portion of the message the words "Indication Tracks", occurs, and again the message tantalizingly breaks off. Some hope is held out that the survivors may exist. The vessel was well provisioned, and enough stores and fuel would remain to enable the passengers and crew to exist in the bowels of the vessel for many months. Nothing further, however can be gleaned on the matter until the full text of the message has been received. The operator is now endeavoring to get in touch with the expedition.
When questioned on the matter this morning, Captain John Mackay, I.S.O. (Portmaster), said that although people would probably doubt the theory, there was no reasonable doubt in his mind that the lifebuoy marked "Waratah" discovered by Dr. Mawson's party in the ice at Antarctica was from the ill fated Waratah, which disappeared off the coast of South Africa several years ago. The currents on the coast were the Waratah went to her doom travelled in a south easterly direction into Antartica, and a lifebuoy from the Waratah off the Cape of Good Hope was just as likely to find its way to Antartica as one from the Australian coast. "Yes, I think it more than probable that the lifebuoy belonged to he ill fated vessel added Captain Mackay.
A PROBABLE RELIC.
Officers of overseas vessels in port, which call at South Africa and have a wide knowledge of ocean currents in those latitudes, are generally of the opinion that the lifebuoy has on it the name "Waratah" it is more likely a relic of the ill fated Blue Funnel Liner, and some give credit to the supposition that the vessel seen buried in the ice by Dr. Mawson's party is the Waratah. It is probable, they think, that the Waratah never turned turtle and sank as is generally believed, but having broken down mid ocean was left to the mercy of the winds and currents. It is possible also that the vessel drifted with the currents for years without ever being seen, and that having gone many thousands of miles with the currents to the south,and was carried into the ice bound regions of the Antarctic. After leaving Durban, one officer explained the Waratah would have put far out to sea and would not be seen by vessels going up to Durban as they always kept in close to the land on the upward journey.
Radio operator one of many in the Mawson Expeditions. circa 1911 to 1913.
Mawson's Base at Cape Denison .
