THE MAKOA WRECK

Evening Star, Issue 22687, 29 June 1937, Page 14

THE MAKOA WRECK

NEWS BY THE NIAGARA HARDSHIPS ON HULL ISLAND [Per United Press Association.] AUCKLAND, June 28. The story of the wreck of the auxiliary schooner Makoa on a reef off Hull Island, in the Phoenix Group., the hazardous swim of the members ot the crew to land, and their subsequent privations until they were picked up by the Niagara on her voyage south and taken to Suva, _ were related by passengers on the liner when it arrived at Auckland. The Makoa, which was owned by the Burns, Philp Company, was a total wreck. ■ but no lives were lost. Captain Doughty, the first mate, and 14 native members of the crew of the schooner spent 26 days on Hull Island before the arrival of the Niagara, which had been acquainted of their plight by the Burns, Philp Company. The liner came to within a few hundred yards of the reef, and the survivors were rowed out from the shore in a small boat. An account of the wreck was given by Mr William Kadison, of Los Angeles, a journalist, who, as a passenger on the Niagara, was associated with tho crew of the Makoa before they were disembarked at Suva. Mr Kadison explained that the schooner had been anchored outside tho reef near tho native settlement on Hull Island when it was caught by a cross wind and blown on to the reef. In a very short time the battering the vessel received from-the heavy waves broke her up, and the crew had no option but to swim for the shore. Although the presence of sharks was feared, all were successful in reaching the beach. Mr Kadison stated that the survivors were assisted by 40 natives, who were employed in the copra plantation at the settlement, but until the Niagara arrived some weeks later they were obliged to endure many hardships. Coconut milk was used for drink, as no water was available, and for food the crew were largely dependent upon fish and birds. Some variety in the menu was afforded by the capture of several large turtles.