SCHOONER BURNED

Evening Star, Issue 18239, 2 April 1923, Page 7

SCHOONER BURNED

SOLOMON ISLAND MYSTERY, TROUBLE AMONG GREW. There is a remarkable story associated with the arrival in Sydney of the crew of the American schooner Defiance, which was burnt recently under mysterious circumstances at Faisi, in the Solomon Islands. The men left Sydney again on March 22 for San Francisco. While at the Australian port they allowed a few details to escape concerning their experiences. The Defiance arrived at Faisi from Honolulu towards tho end of 1922 to take in a copra cargo for Sail Francisco. The cargo was placed in the vessel in November, and she was then ready to sail. But trouble arose between the captain and his wife, who was part owner of the vessel, and afterwards with the mate. Several attempts were made to get the ship away, hut without success.

The mate of tho Defiance is Mr Grimm, a young American seaman. "I was mate of the scow, and went right through the whole circus,’’ ho says, “ hut I’m broke now, and I’m going to sell my ‘dope’ hack in the States for big money.” However, a, fairly comprehensive account of the ncmirrem-e has been secured from him. He said that during the trouble- between the captain and himself the former endeavored to engage a new second officer. At Faisi his effort succeeded. The crew was totally unaware of tho_ captain’s action. Laie one night the appointee fame aboard. The mate says that lie hailed him in a friendly way, and received the reply that he was not going lo take any impudence from the crew, which he now commanded. The mate found lie had been appointed to his position. " \Vo had a verbal, dispute,” said the mate, ‘’and later I offered to settle the matter with fists; the winning man to get tho Job. Tho challenge went unaccepted. Tlie new man left tho ship, and I got tho job. The captain then persuaded Lieutenant Crookshank, who had been an officer in the British Navy, to 1111 the post. The lieutenant was a toft’. Ho tried to do tho same things I endeavored to have rectified, hut he eventually failed, and threw in the job. lie was a good sort, though. When the Defiance was burning and we were about to dynamite her, he was seen standing within the danger zone. Someone asked him whether he desired anything. ‘Has anyone got a cigar,’ he asked, quite unconcernedly.” The disputes between tlie captain and the chief mate created a troublesome situation, which was only brought to finality by tho destruction of the Defiance jn Fifisi Harbor. The discontent, became more and more manifest daily, and when the date set down for the departure of the Defiance approached it is said the crew refused tq,, sail until sufficient provisions had been stocked. There was also trouble about wages. After tho firn the district officer opened an inquiry, but it seems that very little was divulged. Both the captain and tho crew maintained a peculiar silence. The captain on arrival in Sydney was unwilling to discuss tho origin of the fire. The American Consul obtained very meagre details, but he says the full story will bo told before the American Courts on the return of the men.—Auckland ‘ .Star ’ Correspondent.