VESSEL’S MYSTERY VOYAGE

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 864, 7 January 1930, Page 1

VESSEL’S MYSTERY VOYAGE

Auckland Cutter at Pago Pago authorities refuse landing Strange Disappearance Recalled A .MESSAGE to the Marine Department from Pago Pago, American Samoa, this morning has cleared up the mystery of the auxiliary cutter Maroro, which disappeared from Auckland on November 18. The little vessel of 10 tons has successfully made the long journey of 1.587 miles across the Pacific. Mr. Eugene Fischer, his wife and four children, and a Mr. G. Walker, aged 20, all of Auckland, are on board the Maroro. The circumstances of their disappearance and the manner in which Mr. Fischer left Auckland were the subject of some concern.

The American authorities refused to allow Mr. Fischer, who had no papers, and his party to land at Pago Pago and cabled the Marine Department. at Auckland for all particulars concerning them. From inquiries made in Auckland this morning it seems that Mr. Fischer obtained possession of the craft by unusual means. The Maroro is the property cf the Beaver Boat and Engine Company, 3 Lower Nelson Street, of which Mr. Peter Smith is manager. Early in November Mr. Fischer went to Mr. Smith and talked of buying a launch for trading round the Hauraki Gulf and small islands off the coast. Mr. Smith lent him the vessel for a fortnight so that he could get accustomed to It. When Mr. Fischer did not return at the end of that time Mr. Smith became concerned and notified the police. Further inquiries were made, but no jne had seen the boat anywhere about the harbour or the gulf, and it was feared that probably the little vessel had been sunk. Subsequent inquiries, however, brought to light some unexpected information, artd it is now suggested that the long voyage had been planned for some time ahead. Mr.'Fischer had told Mr. Smith that

he had A 250 worth of skins which were to be sold at the Auckland skin sales, and with this money he would help to pay for the Maroro. No one so far has confirmed the story about the. skins. Then Mr. Smith discovered that Mr. Fischer had had two 400-gallon tanks for fresh water specially made and fitted into the launch, and that he had left Auckland with £75 worth of provisions on board. Mr. Fischer, who is about 45 years of age, has resided at Epsom, Mount Eden and other suburbs of Auckland, and at Wellington, Nerv Plymouth and Gisborne. For some time he carried on the business of pork butcher in the city. The ages of the children are not known. Mrs. Fischer is said to have been a chemist before her marriage. The Maroro is 38ft by 12ft and is cutter-rigged. She is fitted with a 15 horse-power Alpha crude oil-engine, and is a comfortable craft, containing six bunks. She was built four years ago as a trading cutter, and is valued at £450. No particulars of the party's adventures during their seven weeks at sea are available, but apparently the crew was all well when the vessel reached Pago Pago yesterday.