CORRESPONDENCE

Samoa Times and South Sea Gazette, Issue 51, 21 September 1878, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE

Weave always willing to give insertion to letters of explanation oriutcrest, but we wish it to be distinctly understood that we do not endorse lie opinions expressed, or language used, by oar correspondents. Our ideas of passing events will be found in our lucul or editorial columns. THE I.ATK ACCIDENT IN THE STRAITS. Tii THE I.IHTiUI of TDK SAMnA TIMES.* Slß,—You will probably have heard of the late sad accident that* took place between Savaii and jManono; but as you may not have a full account of it, I beg to send you the following particulars, received this morning, from Le An, one of the two survivors. It appears that on Saturday, the 7th inst., two Fasitoo bouts, left llauono for Satupoitoa, en route for Matautu, via Falcalupo, with toga for the aiga of the husband of the daughter of Saivaise, of Fasitoo. I presume they had been waiting some time at Mauono, for it will be remembered that a strong S.K. gale had been blowing all the week, and it was next to madness for them to attempt to cross, hut they were anxious to get on, audit being tolerably calm that morning, they thought they would venture, especially as a third boat of the party had preceded them a day or two previously. They had not long started however, before the wind cam" down as strong as over, and there was a tremendous son running. The lirstboat succeeded in weathering it, and reached BatupaitCA in safety, but the other, containing thirtytwo souls, capsized between Apolima and Savaii, in oonuquencu of one of the sail ropes giving nay. and the boat tilled at once; but they* still clung to it. for n while, hoping for totno meant of escape; they tried lo bail it, but in such a sea it was utterly impossible, so that they hud

to give np the attempt At but i»... I ..... determined to make an attempt to svacb Apolima, hoping the othen might be able to cling to tie- boat tili they got help. They sue -ded in reaching Apolima after some hours of hard wanning, according to their account of the position of the sun when the accident happened, and aguiu when they reached Apolima, they must have been in the water at least -ix or seven hours. They landed on the S.W. side of the island, and succeeded in climbing the almost perpendicular dill's, although very much exhausted ; the wonder is how they reached it at all in such a sea. The Apolima people at one,- manned a large boat and went in search of the others, Lo An accompanying, but neither boat nor people could be seen anywhere ; the gale continuing, they bad to return as soon as it was dark lest they should shale the same fate. Boats have been out in all directions during this week, but no traces of the missing ones have been found, and it is to be feared that not one of them have escaped. There wore eleven women, nine children and twelve men and lads in the boat, only two of whom have escaped as far as we know. This is the most serious accident that has happened iu Samoa for a long time, and it is to be hoped it may be a warning to people not to attempt to cross the straits in .such weather. Several smaller accidents have taken place previously from attempting the same thing. 1 am, Yours truly. John s. Austin'. Satupaitea, 14 September.