PACIFIC TRAGEDY

Hokitika Guardian, 31 January 1931, Page 8

PACIFIC TRAGEDY

LIGHT LAUNCH TURNS TURTLE. SIX PASSENGERS DROWNED. LADY WHO WAS GOOD SWIMMER. SUVA, Jan. 20. An appalling tragedy happened off Xamerai Bay on the east coast oi Viti Levu. The Sita Ram was a 12 ton launch owned by eight Punjabis and captained by Gurdhata, whose son was engineer. She was licensed to carry 17 passengers and three of a crew, hut was known to carry more than that number On this, occasion she is alleged to have sailed with a large list of passengers and a heavy cargo,, which included 19 bags of mail, including all parcels and papers ex-R.M.S .Niagara for Lautoka and Ba. When opposite Namerai Bay a, heavy squall struck her and smothered the little craft.

The sea was heavy at that point, and while details are still hazy the story is that she heeled over and slid many overboard, and then righted, tilling with water. Happily at the time a sister boat, the Ram Ram, approached, towing a punt. AYhen her skipper saw what was happening he let go the punt and hastened to the rescue, adn managed to draw all the people from the water or the sinking boat except six, who were drowned.

These include Airs Dan Grey, wile of n Public Works’ employee, and her two-year-old son. A four-vear-old daughter was saved. Two Punjabis were drowned, and a Aladrassi cook named Yuseef, from the mission house of the Rev. R. L. Thomson, who is in Sydney. Yusecf’s little son was also drowned, hut another was thrown by someone on to a raft and saved. The scene beggared description as the crowd of Indians floundered about in the water, hardly any of them being able to swim. The remarkable thing was that Mrs Grey, who was drowned, was the best swimmer on hoard. Rome years ago she very gallantly dived into tme harbour and saved a girl’s life.

The Ram Ram secured the bodies of the drowned and took all to Ellington, where they received attention. The passengers included Air John Grant, owner of a picture hall, and the wife and five children of Air J. P. Mnliaraj, a. leading Suva Indian storekeeper. On hearing that all had been drowned except three, as the first report stated, Air Maharaj secured a launch and left shortly after midnight for Ellington nearly demented with grief'. Happily his family were safe. The Government sent off the Adi Beti on Monday morning with a pofice subinspector to make full inquiry. The people concerned have riot so far returned to Suva, but are expected shortly. An inquiry will be hold, probably at Penang, and should the first inquiry warrant such a course, an investigation may he held later at Suva.