STRANGE SIGHT IN PACIFIC.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 2693, 11 July 1923, Page 5

STRANGE SIGHT IN PACIFIC.

i SEEN BY THE TOPUA. • riLLAR OF STEAM IN MIDOCEAN. SHD7PING IN DIFFICULTIES. [By Electric Cable —Copyright]. [Aust. and N.Z. Cable Association.] (Received Tuesday, S.f>s p.m.) SUVA, July 10. Captain Davey, of tlie Tofua, reports that at 10 o'clock on July 1, h c sighted a dense column oC steam rising from 90ft to 100 ft. out of the ocean 19 miles north-west of Nukualofa. Previously tlie vicinity was always a pale green patch but now the sea is bubbling 2ft. high, and steam is visible for 20 miles. An earthquake occurred at Nukualofa the previous day. Passengers on t'he Tofua were greatly interested, the ship being within cas> distance for observing the phenomenon. The schooner Manna was towed off Bega reef on Saturday and anchored at Suva to-day, apparently undamaged. The captain was arrested on a charge of fraudulently subscribing to a declaration that no cargo was aboard when it was laden and carrying passengers, contrary to the diatoms ordinance. The story of the wreck of the Alert was told by Captain MacDonald, the chief owner, to-day. The .ship loaded copra at Anabai, and proceeded t'o Futu. The weather was fine and loading was In progress when the wlnn shifted At four o'clock in the morning, June 10, a heavy squall came down, and despite the anchors, the schooner drifted squarely ashore on the reef. All hands were saved in the J ship's boat. The gale raged for thre e days, and the schooner broke in two. Subsequently the hull was sold to the Tongan Government for £2O. The passengers and crew of the Tofua subscribed £7S for the relief of the Alert's crew. Most of the schooner's sails and provisions were salvaged, also portion of the crew's belongings.