Mission Steamer Meets with Mishap

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 650, 30 April 1929, Page 1

Mission Steamer Meets with Mishap

DISABLED AT NORFOLK

SOUTHERN CROSS DAMAGED

A radio message received in Auckland this morning advised the headquarters of the Melanesian Mission that the steamer Southern Cross is lying disabled at Norfolk Island. The majority of the passengers have been landed and arrangements are being made to tow the vessel back to Auckland for repairs. A N unkind trick of fate has brought mishap to the little mission steamer on the occasion of her final trip to the Islands, and at a time when an unusually large number of missionary passengers were on board. It was announced some time ago that, for economic reasons urged by the increasing cost of keeping the steamer in repair, the Southern Cross would be withdrawn from the Melanesian Mission service. TO BE TOWED BACK On Tuesday last she steamed out of the Waitemata to begin her last run. Now she must return from Norfolk Island, evidently because the damage is of such a nature that it j cannot be repaired on the spot. The radio message from Captain Burgess said that he was delayed because of a broken rudder trunk, and he iatimated that the visit to the mission station and schools of New Hebrides and the southern islands would have to be postponed. The steamer is quantities of stores, and among the missionary passengers are the Right Rev. Bishop of Melanesia, the Rev. C. Rawson, the j Rev. R. P. Fallowes, Sisters Margaret 1 and Gwen, Mr. H. Seaton, Miss E. Wil- | liams, Mr. and Mrs. S. G. Watkins, of ! the Melanesian Mission, the Rev. W. | and Mrs. Milne, of the Presbyterian • Mission in New Hebrides, and Mrs. ! Martin. ALL SAFE AND WELL Captain Burgess reports that all i passengers with the exception, of the j bishop were landed, and that all are ! safe and well. j Arrangements are being made by i the Auckland agents of the Southern ! Cross, Messrs. Watkin and Wallis, to ; dispatch a tug from Auckland for the j purpose of towing back the disabled | steamer.