SHIP “AWAHOU” SINKING NORTH OF FIJI

Grey River Argus, 11 October 1949, Page 4

SHIP “AWAHOU” SINKING NORTH OF FIJI

Planes and Other Vessels Going To The Rescue

(Rec 10.25> SUVA, October 10. The motor vessel Awahou, of 410 tons gross, owned by the Carr Shipping Company, of Sydney and previously owned by the Union Manufacturing Company, of Wellington, and prior to that by the Western Pacific High Commission, is reported to be in a sinking condition 200 miles north of Fiji.

Captain Hay, who is in command, has wirelessed for asistance. The Royal New Zealand Air Force at Laucala Bay, Suva, immediately sent a Catalina flying boajj, which has contacted th e vessel. A message from the vessel said that the ship was obviously sinking and that those aboard would, sooner or later, have to take to the boats. The weather, fortunately, is fine ana calm.

Catalina planes from the New Zea land Air Force are maintaining contact with the vesesl, and at nine o’clock tonight they were still overhead.

A Carpenter Line vessel, the Lakemba, has ben diverted to the rescue, and this ship is expected to arrive at three o’clock tomorrow morning.

The Fiji Government has also sent the “Dengei” which will contact the Awahau at 10 a.m. and will take her in tow, if she is still afloat. The vessel is loaded with empty oil drums, which may assist her buoyancy. There are 11 passengers and a crew of 22. There are two women passengers. New Zealnd Air Force Catalinas have been standing by since 9 o’clock this morning.