THRILLING ESCAPE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 February 1942, Page 4

THRILLING ESCAPE

SOLOMON ISLAND PARTYREACH AUSTRALIA INCLUDING DR. ALLEN RUTTER. EPIC VOYAGE IN SMALL BOAT. Given two hours’ notice to pack what belongings they could, a party from the Solomon Islands, including Dr. A. G. Rutter, son of Mr and Mrs F. G. Rutter, of Masterton, has reached an Australian port in an auxiliary vessel after a perilous voyage lasting about 18 days. The voyage of about 1100 miles was filled with dread and at times disaster' appeared to be imminent. The party faced their difficulties bravely and reached port weary with the long vigil entailed in handling the vessel continuously for such a lengthy period. The party, mainly Methodist Missionaries from Gizo in the British Solomon Islands, were warned by the Government to get out immediately. The Japanese began to drop bombs on Faisi, only 80 miles away. Mr A. W. Bourne, an engineer was appointed skipper when the vessel quietly slipped away from Gizo about 2 a.m., although he had no nautical experience. With the aid of Mr C. D. Peck, an old seafaring man, he managed the voyage. Mr Peck, although suffering infirmity, was a tower of strength to the party, and was able to give timely advice as necessity arose. On the third day out, Mrs Bourne was thrown overboard by a lurch of the vessel, but was speedily rescued from her perilous predicament. On the sixth day the vessel ran hard on to a reef, but the emergency crew managed to get her off. An hour later the same trouble occurred on the Barrier Reef, but the crew had not the slightest idea as to their locality. After strenuous efforts the launch was again eased off into deep water where the anchor was cast. Here a stay of four days was made while a violent storm raged threatening to wreck the launch. The wind reached gale force and it seemed that the craft would be driven out to sea. The shackle parted and the anchor was lost, and the crew had then to make for the open sea. An erratic course was pursued all that night in order to avoid the reefs. They were not quite successful in this as once or twice they touched the rocks, but fortunately the launch was not holed and made no water. Once again under weigh the crew struck due west in the hope of reaching the Australian coast and after a strenuous period a lighthouse was made after 14 days. The house keeper gave them their course and they reached port without further mishap. Owing to the dramatic suddenness of their departure the party were unable to bring more than the clothing they were wearing, and what they could hastily bustle into suitcases. Fortunately the mission launch was well provisioned, so that in this respect the evacuees did not lack food. The most trying part of the whole voyage was that the four men of the party had to keep continuous watch to which was added the perilous position of the launch on several occasions. The party reached port devoid of money, explaining that on the island all dealings practically are on the barter system, but they will communicate with the Sydney Headquarters when matters should be put right. In the meantime their stay in their present quarters is indefinite. Their departure from Gizo was made under circumstances of the greatest emergency. The Solomon Islands Government launch travelled 15 miles to Gizo at 12.30 a.m. on January 24 and they were given until 2 o’clock the same morning to leave their homes. • Dr. Rutter stated he did not know how many white people were left on the island but every effort was being made to evacuate them. Mrs Rutter and her two children, who left the Solomons some time previously, are already in New Zealand.