PACIFIC ANCHORAGES

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1053, 18 August 1930, Page 1

PACIFIC ANCHORAGES

WHERE COULD TAHITI BE TOWED? VAVAU A POSSIBILITY Where will the Tahiti be taken, if there is the slightest possibility of towing the crippled liner to a sheltered anchorage? The Cook Islands do not offer suitable harbours, and the approximate distances to ports in the Pacific from the present position of the Tahiti as it lies disabled rather more than 400 miles south-west of Rarotonga are: To Vavau Harbour, in the northern Tangan group, or to Nukualofa, on Tongatabu Island, in th southern part of the group, almost 650 miles.’ To Pago Pago, on Tutuila Island, American Samoa, slightly more than 800 miles, and to Apia, on Upolu Island, Western Samoa, 875 miles. To Papeete Harbour, Tahiti, 1,100 miles, and a similar distance to Suva, Fiji. To Auckland, 1,600 miles. VAVAU SUITABLE Opinion in Auckland on the possibility of towing the Tahiti to a safe anchorage, though messages concerning the vessel’s condition are not reassuring, is that Vavau is easily the most likely anchorage in that event. Vavau is a magnificent harbour, completely landlocked. The wharf is at Neiafu. Nukualofa, also a possibility, is

situated on an immense lagoon on the northern coast of Tongatabu. Only poor, unsheltered anchorages offer in the Cook Islands, near which the Tahiti lies. The vessel was bound for Avarua, on Rarotonga, but there is only an open anchorage there, outside the reef. Similar conditions obtain at Mangaia, Aitutaki, Mauke, Atiu and Mitiaro —others islands of the group. The south-east trade winds are now blowing and this means there is a drift in the sea north-west toward Vavau and Nukualofa. Pago Pago must be regarded as a possible destination, should there be a chance of saving the Tahiti after what must be a hazardous tow, in any circumstances.