Miena on Mercy Mission

Northern Advocate, 30 December 1938, Page 9

Miena on Mercy Mission

[Special to ”Northern Advocate AUCKLAND, This Day.

Quietly leaving port on Wednesday afternoon, the auxiliary ketch Miena. with a crew of eight hurriedly signed on. sailed for the Kcrmadecs with pro' 1 Visions urgently needed by the survey party which had been working on the island for some time. The Miena was charted by the Government for the special trip, as the plight of the party was becoming desperate. Two attempts had been made by the cruisers Achilcs and Leander to land stores, but on each occasion, owing to rough weather, the ship was unable to get sufficiently close to the island.

Subsequently radio mesages received visions be despatched urgently, and in Now Zealand requested that proalso asking that u cow and three sheep be sent.

Tire Miena is regularly engaged in carrying cement in the AucklandWhangarei trade. Difficulties were experienced, owing to the holidays, in obtaining a crew, but the Marino Department and Seamen’s Union on-operated. The usual master of the Miena Captain V. J. Sayor, who lias a Home trade certificate went as first mate, and Captain Burgess, formerly of the Mission steamer, Souther Cross, sailed in command. Mr H. J. C. George, the well-known solicitor and yachtsman, a brother of the owner of the Miena. signed on as a “boy”. The Miena carried eight of a crew and one passenger, and will bring the passenger on the return trip. She carried 20 tons of provisions and some limber. Livestock could not be procured in time. The difficutly in landing at the Kermadecs is caused by big swells and dangerous surf,