THE UNLUCKY SONOMA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18464, 27 January 1922, Page 5

THE UNLUCKY SONOMA

TROUBLE AT PAGO PAGO. TREASURE CHESTS RUSHED. Frees Association —By Telegraph—Copyright, SAN FRANCISCO, January 26. (Received Jan. 26, at 9.45 p.m.) Hard luck seems to be dogging the Sonoma. Captain Trask upon arrival here reported that serious trouble had occurred with the stevedores at tf ago Pago. The Sonoma, which arrived with a cargo of gold and other commodities valued at many,, million dollars, stopped at Pago Pago to load coal and other stuffs. A group of convicts, who were used as stevedores, suddenly stormed over the vessel in an attempt to break into the treasure chests, and the entire crew were needed to hold off the invaders at the point of the revolver. Nothing was lost and no damage was done. The invaders were successfully driven off, and the vessel arrived here safely.— A. and N.Z. Cable. [Despite the previous misfortunes associated with the Sonoma, th© Commonwealth Bank officials did -not lose faith in the vessel. When she left Sydney on January 5 for San Francisco she carried 400,000 sovereigns in her specie tank. Those were placed abroad a few minutes before the Sonoma sailed, and were carefully checked and re-chocked in the presence of Captain Trask and the bank officials before being locked up. The shipment constituted a record consignment of gold for the Sonoma, although the Ventura', of the same line, also carried £400,000 in gold on her last voyage to San Frandsaj]