HAZARDOUS CARGO

Evening Star, Issue 23056, 7 September 1938, Page 2

HAZARDOUS CARGO

JUAN DE NOVA GUANO PASSAGE FRAUGHT WITH DANGER TESTIMONY OF FOUR WRECKED HULLS South-west of the Seychelles Islands, between Madagascar _ and the African mainland, lies an island, windswept and uninhabited for 10 months of the year—Juan de Nova—a mere dot on the atlas in latitude 17deg lOmin south and longitude 42deg 54min east. Barren and lashed by many winds in the winter, the island is a haven for sea birds, and from it comes a rich harvest that finds its way into many gardens as fertiliser; guano is there in abundance. But it is by no means easy to gain access to Juan de Nova to load a cargo. West, east, and south the island is impregnable to the approach of shipping, for jagged reefs surround it. Only from the north can a cautious master work his way through a narrow passage through the reefs to the guano deposits, and then the utmost vigilance must be maintained. Four battered hulls even now lino the reefs of the channel as a grim warning to those seeking entry; four pointed reminders of the necessity for constant care.

Summer months find the island a scene of great activity, for July and August are the months which favour the safe loading of shipping. Then the winds have abated, and labouring natives from the Seychelles Islands can feed the guano, to the crushing mills, whence it emerges as a dull, yellowybrown powder. Some time before the date scheduled for the arrival of tho steamer or sailing vessel—for both participate in the trade—gangs of natives work steadily at the mills, for time must not be lost in waiting. Cargoes are difficult to load, for the ships must stand off from the mills and await the arrival of barges, while the risk of disaster is always imminent. Testimony to this is borne by the appearance of a wreck nob a quarter of a mile from tho loading stage. This method of loading takes time, despite tho fact that tho natives work at any—all—hours. They must await high tide, and then the rush is on, for at low water there is insufficient depth to float barge and cargo; about five to seven feet of water covers the reefs. These were the difficulties encountered by Captain G. Rodin, of the Swedish Malaren. which left Juan de Nova on July 28 for Ilavensbourno and Auckland with 4,550 tons of powdered guano, about half of which she is at present engaged in discharging at the Victoria wharf. Only two or three vessels visit tho island in a year, and only in the summer months. As far as New Zealand is concerned, most of the guano ships from Juan de Nova visit Auckland. Theirs is a hard-won fight, and a testimonial to a captain’s skill. No pilot journeys out in a speedy launch to give safe conduct through the intricate reefs; a master relies upon his charts and his own abilities. Captain Rodin bad no chart, but proved himself a capable mariner.