AN ISLAND WRECK.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 65, 17 March 1919, Page 5

AN ISLAND WRECK.

CUTTER JANET LOST, GOES SOWN WITH ALL HAND* BETWEEN NAVUA AND KEPPEL ISLAND. The loss of the cutter Janet, with all hands, while on a voyage from Vavau to Keppel Island in tho Toiigan group is reported by cable from Suva. The vessel sailed from Vavau on December 29, laden with stores to reprovision Keppel Island. Her crew consisted of several natives, and the captain, a European. The Janet should have made her last trip to Keppel Island, 170 miles north of Vavau, in November, and then laid up for the hurricane season. As the Talune, on which the provisions were arriving, was held up in Auckland through the epidemic, and did not arrive at Vavau until Christmas Day, the Janet was not able to sail until much later than usual, and the hurricane season had already commenced when she set out on tbe voyage. With fair wind the trip from Vavau to Keppel Island can be done in a day. The operation of provisioning the latter island takes three or four days, and the return trip, because of dillicultics of navigation, usually takes a week. When twenty days had elapsed after the time of departure from Vavau, a relief ship was sent out, and this boat lias evidently brought the nevrs of the cutter's loss. It is not yet known whether the Janet was lost on the trip to Keppel Island, or on the return voyage. The boat. which is of 2S net tons, together with the cargo, is uninsured. On the return voyage the cargo would consist of copra to tbe value of approximately £500. T_e •lanet is well known in Auckland shipping circles, having previously been engaged in the local shingle trade. She had a fair turn of speed, winning the cutter ' race at the Auckland regatta three years j ago. She wa6 owned by Messrs. Tindall | and Ross. n