ILL-OMENED VENTURE

Dominion, Volume 25, Issue 275, 16 August 1932, Page 2

ILL-OMENED VENTURE

Fishing Schooner Sold DEATH OF THREE OWNERS The fishing schooner Navanora, built at Mercury Bay over 50 years ago, and formerly known as the Saucy Kate, has been sold in the Solomon Islands, according to Mr. J. O’Neill, who was one of the partners in the vessel. He returned to Auckland by the Mnunganui on Tuesday after an absence of four months In the islands (reports the “New Zealand Herald”). The schooner sailed from Auckland In 1930 on a pearl-fishing expedition to the New Hebrides, and within 18

months two of those concerned in the venture. Captain F. C. Townsend and Mr. (' A. Cowan, died. Mr. O'Neill left Auckland to investigate the possibility of selling the Navanora, but on his arrival at the Reef Islands he was informed of the death of another partner, Mr. N. M. Sarieh. Mr. O'Neill decided to carry on with his original plan, and, with the assistance of one European and a crew of five natives, sailed the schooner to Tulagi, in the Solomons, where she was sold. Storniy weather was encountered throughout the seven days’ trip, which, Mr. O’Neill said, was the worst he had experienced in his life.