MYSTERY SHIP

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21554, 27 July 1933, Page 10

MYSTERY SHIP

CKUISINO IN PACIFIC BELIEVED TO BE JAPANESE AVOIDING THE AUTHORITIES e VESSEL OF GREAT SPEED The mysterious movements of a dilapidated craft, which, however, is capable of astonishing speed, have recently caused considerable conjecture in the Kllice Islands. The following account of the sudden appearances and disappearances of the vessel, which is believed to be manned by Japanese, is given by Mr. John Harris, who visited the islands on the ketch Waterlil.v. "Life on a coral atoll, especially for Europeans, is a monotonous affair," Mr. Harris writes. "But at Funaguti, in the Kllice Islands, they have recently had enough excitement to last them for some months to come- It began with tho mysterious behaviour of a foreign vessel discovered investigating tho island They defied tho quarantine law by omitting to report to the authorities, and when approached by the latter invariably made off. "She was first noticed on June 10 by native fishermen, who reported to tho Government district officer that a strange ship was anchored off the reef on the lee side of the lagoon. They said they had been invited aboard by tho captain, who questioned them in English concerning the island, and noted their information on a chart. Description of Vessel "It was late at night, but the district officer and the medical officer immediately set oft across the lagoon to investigate They went in separate boats and were accompanied bv tho island trader —the only other white man in the group—and a number of natives. "On the othor side of the lagoon, 10 miles distant, they found u small vessel anchored close* to the island of Tebuka. She was of about 100 tons burthen and had three dinghies moored astern. Her hull was dirty and nnpainted; she lay low in tho water with a bare lift, of freeboard; had a clipper bow with great flare topside, junk fashion, tapering to a fine stern, and a square stern with projecting overhang- She was apparently of considerable draught, for nothing was visible in tho moonlight of her rudder or propeller. Lying along her deck «as what seemed to be a collapsible mast. A powerful winch was forward of the chart room, and just aft of it tho exhaust of some form of crude-oil engine. Sudden Rustt to Sea "The district officer being delayed in the lagoon, tho doctor laid his boat alongside, called the captain, and started inquiries, but without satisfaction. Tho man merely shrugged his shoulders and gesticulated, jabbering something in (presumably) Japanese. Two questions alone did ho answer. When asked whether the ship was Japanese he nodded several times; when the captain was inquired for ho laid his hand on his breast and bowed. Otherwise he pretended not to understand. As he had that afternoon spoken Knglish to tho natives ho was obviously lying. The doctor decided to haul of! and await t'ho district officer. "However, no sooner did the latter appear than the stranger suddenly hove tip her anchor and disappeared out to sea at an amazing There being no sea-going vessels at Funaguti, nor indeed any craft to equal the stranger in speed, there was nothing more to be done but return to bed.

A Second Attempt "The following evenirtg the same ship was reported to be at Finafala, in the south-west corner of the lagoon, Lndcr cover of darkness the district officer again set out to investigate, accompanied this time by several cutters and 20 stout men. But the stranger was evidently on the alert this tiino, for all they found when they reached Funafula was evidence of a hasty flight—a sheath knife, a singlet, cigarettes, and the remains of a meal left 011 shore. "It was decided to make up the western side of the lagoon in hopes of meeting her there. They had sailed ten miles and were almost despairing of sighting their chase again, when her low outline was noticed outside the reef in her original anchorage. Orders wore hurriedly given to proceed cautiously and attempt to. take her by surprise. But the first grey light of dawn discovered them. When still somo few hundred yards distant the .Tapaneso sprang to life, the engine started up and the anchor was hauled in. By now the' district officer was within 100 yds. He called 011 the vessel to stop, and finally fired two rille shots across her bows, but she disregarded tlieni and sped seaward. Movements a Mystery "Parties of men were placed 011 each of the islands round the lagoon in case she eauio back, but apparently sho hail had enough of Funafuti, tor 110 more was seen of her. "The incident is of interest, in view of the fact that a similar craft was reported several months ago from the Solomon Islands. Sho also carried a collapsible mast, was of the same size and appearance, and was said to have a speed of 20 knots. "The reason for her movements remains a mystery. Her old and dilapidated appearance was belied by her obvious power and speed, while her crew of at least 20 men would hardly be warranted by her size if she were a trader of any kind. Nor is there anything to attract poachers to the Kllice Islands. There is no pearl or trochns shell. Copra is tho only thing of commercial value in the group, and that in but small quantities. "Anl finally, if, as seems probable, she was engaged in obtaining information, it is difficult to understand why such tactics should bo employed. It would be qui to a simple matter to learn everything required in an open or legitimate manner, without arousing suspicions and provoking tl\o penalty of the law by a breach of the quarantine regulations and resistance of the authorities. "Whatever her object, she has given the people of Funafuti a topic of conversation until tho next missionary schooner arrives with mails I from home." ' I