AUSTRALIAN MOTOR SHIP ON REEF SOUTH-EAST OF PAPUA

Evening Star, Issue 26185, 21 August 1947, Page 7

AUSTRALIAN MOTOR SHIP ON REEF SOUTH-EAST OF PAPUA

(Rec. 8 a.m.) SYDNEY. August 20. The Australian motor ship Revnplla (9.787 tons), formerly the Italian liner Remo, and a war-time prize of the Roval Australian Navy, is aground on •laniard Reef, 100 miles south-east of Papua, with a crew of 60 and s.ime passengers. The vessel is reported to be leaking through holes torn in her hull by coral. Attempts have already been made -to float her by the liner Duntroon, which answered a radio rali. hut the Duntroon could not get close enough with safety to> give effective aid. The Australian frigate Cowhauine is standing by, and a Diesel tug ; s expected to reach the Revnella 10-night or early to-morrow. Botli left the tanker C.vrena, grounded south of Kitava Island, about 100 miles away. Nows from the Reynella so far has been brief, but her master, Captain Colin Firth, who knows the waters well, has radioed that the weather is fine and that the water on the edge of the reef is.deep. The ship left Finsehafen. New Guinea, on Saturday with heavy earthmoving equipment bought from the Disoosals Commission for Sydney interest** The Duntroon is taking the wives and families of Australian servicemen to Kure. The Revnella is owned by the Commonwealth Government. A lnttir message from Brisbane states that the Nav.v tug Reserve is on her way at full speed to help the Revnella. The Reserve is expected to reach the Revnella on .Saturday. The latest reports are that the ship is taking some water in "No. 1 hold.