LAUNCH PARTY MAROONED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 98, 27 April 1932, Page 14

LAUNCH PARTY MAROONED.

ON SMALL FIJI ISJLA.ND

NO FOOD; LITTLE WATER.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

SUVA, April 15,

Mrs. -Jackson, wife of a well-known planter of Savu Savu, on Vanua Lcvu, tells a story of privation which seems unreal in these days of many ships. It appears that, with her brother-in-law and five other residents, she started in her husband's launch for Suva. It was a long journey, and the weather was rough"and broken. When some hours out the engine refused duty, and, as the small island of Namena was close, they made for it and reached it with difficulty. They found it impossible to repair the engine. Rain added to their discomfiture, and the men built a rough hut for the women. They searched for food, but the banana trees had no fun* on them and the paw-paw trees had only green fruit, and nothing to eat could be found. A search for water resulted in a small hole full of muddy, thick water, unfit for drinking, being found.

The position was bad, and became worse as day after day passed without any vessel coming near them. When all were becoming weak for Jack of food •and water it was decided to try to make Leviika with two small sails they had. They set out and readied the outer reef near Leviika, when a squall ripped their sails, and they were in grea\ danger of l>eing hurled on to the reef, where a big sea was breaking. Happily Captain Miller, who was in charge, knew the reef well, and managed with oars to squeeze the launch through a narrow crack where the sea was smooth. Once inside they were safe, and soon got to land and a good meal. They later came on to Suva, all feeling the effects of their experience.