SERIES OF MISHAPS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 5, Issue 40, 15 April 1942, Page 2

SERIES OF MISHAPS

remarkable experiences

"STRANGER THAN FICTION"

One of the most important things the creator of fiction has to learn is not to place too much reliance upon coincidence; in real life, however, no such restrictions are made, and the most remarkable coincidences take place frequently. From this has arisen the saying that ''Truth is stranger than fiction."

A particularly good example of this occurred in the early days of Australia. In 1829 the ship "Mermaid" left Sydney for Raffles Bay, and all went well until she entered Torres Straits, where she ran on •shore and became a total wreck. All on the ship, however, managed to escape, and were picked up three days later by the "Swif'tsure." A few days later this vessel also was wrecked, and again ail hands survived. The next ship to come on the scene was the "Governor Ready." which took the combined crews of both vessels on board and proceeded on her way. It encountered disaster before many days had passed and all on board found sanctuary in its boats. Another ship, the "Comet," came to the rescue, only to be wrecked itself soon after. Again all hands survived the wreck and were taken aboard the "Jupiter," -which made a timely appearance. This last vessel actually reached the entrance to Raffles Bay, and then ran ashore. Although all on the vessel escaped in safety to the shore, the ship was so badly damaged that she had to' be given up as a hopeless wreck.