The following letter is addressed to the Straits newspapers by Mr. Frank Ritchie, acting agent at Singapore for the P. Company Sin,—For th information of the relatives and friends of those passengers who are known to have left the wreck of the Aden in a life-boat, I have to request that you will kindly insert in your next issue the following translation of telegrams which will show what steps have been taken by the P. & 0. Company to ascertain if, they have reached the shore in safety 2nd July, from Directors of the P. & O. Ca., London, to Agent of the P. & 0. Ca., Aden.
"Immediately Rohilla arrives, if bringing no news of life-boat send her to Socotra, tion under "charge Companys' Aller manda bay, organise exploring ex;
Search coast offer Inrge reward to natives. Some Company's Officers from Ganges, Rohilla will volunteer; meanwhile you can have everything ready. Government will doubtless end tents and gear, Company will defray all expense. Ask Political Resident give necessary letter to Sultan. Is it possible in any way to communicate with Arabian.coast in case life-boat having drifted there."
4th July, from Agent P. & 0. Ca., Aden, to Superintendent P. & 0. Ca., Bombay.
"EY nave." informed the. Directors as follows, -Rohilla arrived here this morning. Captain reports between Bombay and Socotra moderate to strong S. arrived at onthe east side of Socotra, soon, considerable head seas and_swell
Wednesday, 9.30 a.m., 30th June, and sighted wreck on the reef. Owing violent gale the vessel could not anchor or lower boats there; saw motives ashore, no sign passengers or crow, boats proceeded for Tamarida and had interview with Sultan who was quite aware of wreck, but passengers and crew have not been heard of anywhere. Kohilla then proceeded west and rounded it, then coast between east and west end of island, along south const at a distance of about two miles from the laud; saw motives and camels at intervals, Dut no sighted wreck Thursday 1.30 p.m., gale raging. Stood in within half mile and read name on bow plainly. Back broken, decks gone, great waves breaking over the deck, salvage impracticable during S. W. monsoon. Rohilla was unable to lower Doats and proceeded round Ras Radressa, Jooked in again at Taka Bunder, saw natives only; called at Delishai Bay, saw nothing. Violent gale continuing and unable to obtain any more information, left for here Friday 5 a.m. Socotra expedition arranged. Expect the Rohilla will be ready for sea to-morrow afternoon. I strongly advise, and. the Captain concurs, that the Rohilla should proceed as proposed, first vid Ras Fartak searching coast, thence to Kuria Murin islands searching latter carefully, then to Socotra.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.