MAHENO’S FATE

Hokitika Guardian, 11 July 1935, Page 5

MAHENO’S FATE

VESSEL AGROUND CREW REACH BEA6H SAFELY. (Australian Pfess Association.) (Received this day at 10-15 a.m.) BRISBANE, July n. The Maheno went aground on Fraser Island on Tuesday afternoon. The vessel is now broadside on to the pea with the waves breaking against her. It is considered there is only a remote ehanoe of saving the Maheno, which is not insured. > ■ ■ The tug, Carlock, is expected to reach Fraser Island to-day. The Oonah is also on the ,wav there. The eight Japanese seamen who comprised the crew of the Alaheno abandoned the ship yesterday, taking ashore bedding and canvas tarpaulins so they migh make camp on the beach. , v For twenty-four hours they stuck to the ship . before attempting the dangerous landing through the surf. ... Interviewed through : an interpreter, one of the Japanese sailors said: “We did .not give ourselves a chance.” AIARYBOROUGH, July 10. A large aeroplane to-day sighted the steamer Alaheno, which broke away from the Oonalr while in tow. The Alaheno was stranded on a sandy beach on Fraser Island, fifteen miles south of Indian Head, and 168 miles off Brisbane.

The occupants of the aeroplane to make the discovery were Pilot Keith Virtue and two newspapermen. They saw* two Japanese aboard the! Maheno,/ bufc they saw no sign of the remainder of the crew.

It is presumed that the others were then ashore, as there was a ship’s boat pulled up on the beach of the island. The aeroplane flew low over the Maheno -several times ; and its occupants saw distress signals on the ship. They Waved to those aboard, and they observed' that the Japanese “were ['waving back in an excited manner. Apparently the Japanese were very delighted at the prosepeot' of their deliverance.. The Maheno appeared to be’, hard and fast, but to bq in no immediate danger of breaking up. . ’* V ; The ;aeroplane was not able to . lapel anywhere in the vicinity of the vessel, and the spot is cine that is more or less inaccessible for shipping. . The plane returned to Maryborough ..and reported-the The steamer (Jonah and also the tug Carlock are expected to be in close proximity to the stranded vessel, Maheno tb-night. . ,

CREW REPORTED SAFE. (Received this (day at. 9.30 a.m.) MARYBOROUGH, July' 10. The latest information statflj i (|he crew of the Maheno are safe. The weather is moderating.