TRAGIC CRUISE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20926, 4 January 1938, Page 11

TRAGIC CRUISE

MYSTERY OF DRIFTING YACHT United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright LOS ANGELES, December 31. A mesage from San Pedro says an added note of mystery was given the rescue of the Aafje found drifting off the Mexican coast, when the coastguard was informed that after Paulding's death, the man who shot him leapt into the sea. It is also reported that Faulding himself was thrown into the sea after he was shot. The situation was summed up: “No body, no prisoner.”

PIRACY PLOT FRUSTRATED SAILORS KILL LEADER OF EXPEDITION United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright LOS ANGELES, December 31. Survivors of the Aafje told the Federal agents that Jack Morgan, who had rented the yacht, had planned piracy in the South Seas, halting at small ports on the Mexican coast to take in supplies. They alleged that Morgan shot Faulding several times, after which he Intimidated the passengers and crew at the pistol point, and Imprisoned them in their cabins, except his wife, whom he handed a gun to guard the prisoners. He released two members of the crew and later forced them to tie a heavy anchor to Paulding’s body and throw it overboard. One member of the crew pounced on Morgan, felled him with a marlinspike, and tossed him overboard, not knowing or caring whether he was dead.

Mrs Morgan informed the Federal agents: "I am not sorry for what happened to my husband.” Murder complaints have been issued against two seamen, George Pemack and Robert Thome, concerning the killing of Morgan. Federal agents explained that it was intended only to hold them as material witnesses. Mrs Morgan was also detained.

The coastguard cutter brought into Los Angeles on December 30, the motor yacht Aafje, which they found helplessly adrift off the Mexican coast. It is believed the owner, Dwight Faulding, a wealthy hotel proprietor, who was abroad, had been shot dead. He had gone out on a cruise with five friends, three of whom were women. The yacht was short of food and water, and the vessel’s distress was first noted when a huge SOS was seen painted on the sails.