JEWELS SINK IN WRECK.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLV, Issue 12090, 26 June 1920, Page 7

JEWELS SINK IN WRECK.

QUEEN OF TONGA’S LOSS. VALUE STATED AT £15,000. The loss of the Queen of Tonga’s jewels, valued at £15,000, is reported in connection with the wreck of the ketch Violet in the Haapai group of the Tongan Islands. The Queen owned shares in the vessel, which was bought last January by one of the Island chiefs, for trading purposes. It is stated that the Violet anchored at Nemaka to shelter from a storm. After sheltering for two days the vessel, with the Queen’s jewels and a number of passengers on board, left for a safer anchorage. The anchor was left swinging by a length of chain at the tow, and when the ketch got outside the harbour the heavy sea caused the anchor to swing and smash a hole in her forefoot. Borne minntes later one of the crew informed the captain that the hold was rapidly filling with water, and upon investigation it was found that the water was gaining so rapidly that it was advisable to abandon ship. The women and children were put into a dinghy, and the -sen swam ashore. Several of the native members of the crew were in the water for five or six honrs. As the vessel sank in 30 fathoms of water salvage is reported as impossible. The Prince Consort, on learning ’that there was no hops of salvage, presented the captain with a smaller vessel. —N.Z Herald.