MARORO WRECKED

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 892, 8 February 1930, Page 10

MARORO WRECKED

AUCKLAND CUTTER’S MYSTERY VOYAGE LOST IN PACIFIC Press Association WELLINGTON, Friday. Information was received in Wellington today that the auxiliary cutter Maroro, which disappeared from Auckland some months ago and winch was located at American Samoa early in January, has been wrecked. The news came to the Marine Department from Apia, which received the iamnkation from Pago

Pago. No details were given, and it is presumed that the Maroro came to grief somewhere in Eastern Samoa. All on board, two men, a woman and four children, were reported to be safe. They are being taken to Apia, and it is understood that arrangements are being made to have them returned to New Zealand. THE MISSING BOAT STRANGE DISAPPEARANCE RECALLED The wreck of the Maroro recalls the vessel’s strange - disappearance from Auckland. Manned by Mr. Eugene Fischer, his wife and four children and Mr. A. B. Walker, his step-son, aged 20, all of Auckland, the little vessel of 10 tons left Auckland on November 18 and nothing further was heard of it until it was reported as having arrived at Pago Pago in American Samoa on January 6, after a journey of 1,587 miles across the Pacific. Unusual circumstances surrounded the departure of the Maroro. The auxiliary cutter was the property of Mr. Peter Smith, manager of the Beaver Boat and Engine Company, who states that it was loaned to Mr. Fischer for a fortnight to enable him to cruise round the Gulf. The impression was that Mr. Fischer was going to buy the boat and trade between Auckland and small coastal ports, the boat being loaned to him during that fortnight in order to enable him to get accustomed to it. When the vessel did not come back inquiries were made, as it was thought that she might have been lost. It was then discovered that two 400gallon tanks to hold fresh water had been specially made and fitted into the launch, and that the boat had left Auckland with £75 worth of provisions on hoard, also 500 gallons of crude oil for the engine, and a quantity of rope, crockery and other articles necessary for a long voyage.

Mr. Fischer, who is about 45 years of age, has resided at Epsom, Mount Eden and other suburbs of Auckland, ant. at Wellington, New Plymouth and Gisborne. For some time he carried on business as a pork butcher in the city .

When the cutter arrived at Pago Pago there was no name on the vessel. The party possessed no papers of any kind, except that Mrs. Fischer had her marriage licence with her, the only thing the American authorities could find for identification purposes.

Mr. Fischer told the authorities that he was of German nationality, but that the rest of the party was British. He also claimed acquaintance with Mr. H. R. Mackenzie and Mr. R. T. Reid, two members of the Auckland Harbour Board.

The Maroro is SSft by 12ft and is cutter-rigged. She is fitted with a 15-horse-power engine and is a comfortable craft containing six bunks. She was built four years ago as a trading cutter and is valued at £450. Mr. Smith took steps to notify the authorities at Pago Pago that the vessel was his and had not been paid for. They were asked not to allow the vessel to leave Pago Pago, and were informed that Mr. Smith would go to Pago Pago if necessary in order to get the vessel.

Several days later, however, the Maroro left Pago Pago, ostensibly bound for Apia, but in reply to a message sent to Colonel S. S. Allen, Administrator of Western Samoa, a ca.ble ’was received stating that there was no sign of the vessel at that port. Before leaving Auckland Mr. Fischer should have got his clearance papers from the Customs authorities and a bill of health from the health authorities. It was the absence of these papers that occasioned inquiries when the vessel arrived at Pago Pago.