NO LIVES LOST

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 43, 14 November 1932, Page 9

NO LIVES LOST

Wreck of Southern Cross RESCUES IN BOILING SURF Suva, Nov. 12. There was no loss of life in connection with the wreck of the Melanesian Mission ship Southern Cross. The vessel ran on a reef during a squall. Aneityum Island is notorious for jagged coral reefs, and the Southern Cross struck the rocks in pouring rain. All the deck cargo was swept overboard. A stud boar on the deck was beheaded. The first boat launched was smashed and the crew were unable to launch the other. Au officer swam ashore through boning surf with a line about 150 yards long, the journey taking over half an hour, and later another line was sent ashore. Some of the crew who were unable to swim were helped ashore. One passenger tried to get ashore with the aid of a long line which broke. The captain, in his pyjamas and dress-ing-gown, dived in to the rescue. The man tried to clutch him, as he was unable to swim, and the captain, removing his dressing-gown, knocked the man out and managed to get him ashore, where two gallons of water was shaken out of him. The captain and three officers were in the water for three hours directing and helping the rescue operations. Later the captain chartered a local schooner and proceeded toward Aneityum to pick up the crew and go to the Solomon Islands, from which he will return with a ship. He sheltered at Erromanga till 3 p.m. yesterday owing to strong winds, and made Vila, the capital of the New Hebrides, in a launch with following winds in the record time of 12 hours. The engine and sail were soaked all the time.