WRECKED ON A REEF.

Shannon News, 5 January 1923, Page 2

WRECKED ON A REEF.

* AN ISLAND EPISODE. Suva, Nov. 22, Mr Frank Witherow, a very old resident of the colony and a cocoanut planter, went out in a small punt, accompanied by a native a few days ago they secure a large one, and in the endeavour to get it into the punt, capsized the frail craft. The Fijian clung to the upturned boat, which was rather unusual as the natives generally are splendid swimmers and not at all afraid of a swim, even for several miles. Mr Witherow found that it would not support the two of them, so without a word he left the Fijian in possession and boldly struck out for the reef some considerable distance away. Mr Witherow is an old man, in his seventies, but he put his heart into tho job in hand with his usual thoroughness. It took him over an hour of hard swimming to gain the reef.

Feeling very exhausted he hoped that he had reached safety, but he quickly discovered to his dismay that the tide was rising, and that his refuge would soon be swept by the incoming- tide. He therefore made haste to get along the reef to the small lighthouse some distance away. How lie accomplished it he docs not quite know.- He was very exhausted, and by the time he reached the welcome stars of the lighthouse he was in a condition which mado the ascent of the steps a long and painful journey.

It took him some time to recover from his big endeavour, and in vain he sought to attract attention from tho distant shore. It was not until some Jive hours afer that he was taken off by some native fishermen. Before he was taken ashore he insisted that they hunt for the Fijian, and they eventually found him still clinging to the punt, for the anchor had gone to the bottom, and had held her where she had capsized. Mr Witherow is now about again apparently little the worse for his adventure.