MYSTERY SHIP

Waipukurau Press, Volume XXVIII, Issue 199, 18 August 1933, Page 5

MYSTERY SHIP

SEEN IN PACIFIC ISLANDS SUVA, August 2. Some little time ago, it was reported to Suva that a mysterious vessel, believed to be Japanese, had been seen among certain of the outlying islands of the Solomons. Later, some ten days ago, a report came from the Gilbert and Ellice Islands colony that a similar vessel had been seen near Funifuti. Last week the Rev. R. L. McDonald reported that the natives of the small island of Kia, which lies off the mission station of Nanduri, on the Mathuata coast on Vanua Levu, had reported that one day a vessel came along outside the reef, hove to, lowered boats, and landed about 40 men, who filled water barrels. Then the visitors left, without any explanation. It is pointed out that such visiting is illegal unless in a case of urgent necessity, and then the vessel should have reported at a port of entry. But nothing more was heard of the craft, unless she was the vessel seen by a party of fishermen last Saturday or early on Sunday morning. There were four men in the boat and they lay near Mosquito Island, some three miles from Suva. They report that suddenly a big low vessel, which showed a high turn of speed, came along and they believed she either received someone or put someone ashore. They did not tarry in their going, but hove up anchor and scurried home to Suva. The craft disappeared in the darkness. Some Suva people are inclined to couple these reports with another which seems to be authentic. A native Fijian reports that a local Japanese had told him, in great secrecy, that some day when the nations of Europe were busy fighting among themselves, Japan, who had left the League of Nations, was going to annex Fiji and the other South Sea Islands.