TRAGEDIES OF THE SEA

Taranaki Daily News, 1 December 1932, Page 12

TRAGEDIES OF THE SEA

MAN WASHED OVERBOARD. SUPPOSED VICTIM TO SHARK. Suva, Nov. 9. Believed to have been taken by a shark when he was about to be picked up after having been washed overboard from a cutter, Poe, a half-caste Chinese member of the crew of the auxiliary cutter Eleanor, was reported missing when the cutter returned to Suva late on Sunday night (states the New Zealand Herald correspondent.) The Eleanor, which- carries a crew of seven, and is commanded by Captain Waisaki, was passing between Naseli and Gau at a point about 10 miles from land early on Sunday morning when the mainsail ripped. The cutter’s engine was started and the crew commenced to take the sail in. A fresh wind was blowing and there was a fairly steep sea running. Poe jumped on to the house to pass a lashing when he was caught by the roll of the vessel and thrown overboard. The cutter’s way was checked and she was at once put astern, % lifebuoy being

thrown overboard at the same time. After a while the men on board heard his voice calling through the darkness and leaning over the counter the captain shouted back to him. Poe said that he was all right and kept calling in order to guide the vessel to him.’ In the confusion of the sea and wind, however, it was difficult to pick the direction, and it is thought that about half an hour elapsed before those on board decided that they were getting closer. Suddenly he cried out, “I’m finished. I’m finished!” and then there was silence. Though the Eleanor cruised about the spot until seven o’clock, no sight or sound of him was seen or heard again. When the vessel returned to Suva the captain gave it as his opinion that Poe had been pulled down by one .of the sharks which are said to be numerous in that locality. Another tragedy which has in it an element of mystery occurred on the previous day. Shortly after the auxiliary ketch Tui Labasa cleared from Tevuka for Labasa the body of the ship’s cook, an Indian named Pana, was found washed up on the beach close to Levuka township. Communication with the ship when it reached Labasa established the fact that the cook was seen walking ashore on Friday evening. As he did not return, the vessel delayed its departure until after 5 a.m. on Saturday. Although the body was found in the water the medical examination reveals the fact that the man did not die from drowning. At the same time, an examination failed to discover any marks, of violence. The matter is at present being investigated by the police.