ERUPTION AT RABAUL

Southland Times, Issue 23307, 17 September 1937, Page 11

ERUPTION AT RABAUL

RADIO OPERATOR’S EXPERIENCES FALLING PUMICE BURIES SHIP (Special to The Times) DUNEDIN, September 16. The eruption of the Vulcan Island volcano at Rabaul on May 29 last is an event that will always remain in the memory of a Dunedin-born radio operator, Mr John W. Faulkner, whose ship was completely buried by the falling pumice and sank from sight carrying its skeleton crew of natives with her. It was fortunate that at the time of the eruption Mr Faulkner and a friend were crossing the harbour to their ship, the Durour, which was on Vulcan Island undergoing repairs, and they were able to get back to Rabaul without injury. Following the eruption Mr Faulkner motored to Kokopo, about 17 miles from Rabaul, and there he assisted in obtaining medical supplies and generally helped in establishing order amid confusion.

The Golden Bear, which managed to steam out from.Rabaul harbour with the greatest of difficulty, arrived at Kokopo and, as its wireless operator was missing, Mr Faulkner was appointed to the position. Then began. a busy time for he had to deal with dozen of Press and official messages besides scores of private radiograms. The heat was terrific, the temperature being 97 degrees, and the operator was completely exhausted on the fifth day. He was ordered a holiday and it was very welcome. As the missing operator did not report to his ship Mr Faulkner was signed on by the captain of the Golden Bear for the voyage to Honolulu. On this trip he was the first to pick up the report that Mrs Amelia Earhart Putnam and her navigator had crashed. The Golden Bear’s position at that time was about 10 miles from the estimated point where the plane landed. He did not hear any signals although he listened carefully and when the request was made to search for her the ship was 300 miles north-east of the position.