Lost Fishermen

Cook Islands Incident

From Our Own Correspondent

Rarotonga, Aug. 16

THREE native fishermen, caught in a gale off the reef at Rarotonga, were rescued on the evening of August 6, in exciting circumstances.

An “all-night” fishing expedition, comprising some 20 canoes, set out off the south side of the island on the evening of the sth. During the night a wind from the north-east came up with a heavy sea, strongly set towards the reef.

Povaru, who was watching the wea ther conditions, warned the party to return to the lagoon. A number of the fishermen paddled some miles with the current to the lee of the island and came in over the reef at Aorangi.

Two canoes were capsized and the oc cupants injured.

Seven of the canoes proceeded in the direction of the Rutaki passage— a fairly wide opening in the reef, near the fishing grounds. Five of these canoes reached the lagoon safely.

Of the remaining two fishermen still outside, one, Mani, had become ex hausted from his efforts to make head way against the current. The other, Ua, had to put back to assist Mani.

Ua also was about done, but struggled in to report the plight of Mani.

At midday two natives, Eteke and Putou Henry, put out in small canoes in the hope of overtaking Mani and working round to the lee of the island.

From Nkatangiia (which was receiv ing the full blast of the gale) Mr.

Campbell, manager of the Cook Islands Native Association Ltd., and a native named Rennie, put out in a small out board motor dinghy. They proceeded some distance but saw no canoes. At 4.30 p.m. the dinghy returned, after a perilous run. A dangerous sea was running. All along the south side of the island the massive breakers were curling in over the reef.

At about 1.30 p.m., word reached the Resident Commissioner, Judge Ayson, that native fishermen were in difficul ties. His Honor promptly formed a rescue party. Makea Tinirau (Chief Ariki) placed his launch at the dis posal of the authorities. Captain Thom son, skipper of the Tagua, and Mr. W.

Bryan, Pilot and Harbourmaster, vol unteered their services. The engineer from the Tagua and three natives ac companied the party. Ballast was taken aboard, also benzine and a supply of food, etc.

At about 4 o’clock in the afternoon the launch left the Avarua wharf. The evening was closing in. Visibility was poor. The weather showed no signs of moderating. Mani had by then been adrift for about 30 hours, and was known to be in an exhausted condition.

Eteke and Potou Henry had disap peared out to sea, and Mr. Campbell and Rennie had not returned.

Mani’s canoe had been blown to sea.

About nightfall, watchers in the vicin ity of Black Rock (lee of the island) discerned three tiny specks on the sky line, appearing and disappearing.

Eteke and Potou had found Mani’s canoe and were evidently working in towards the island. When found, Mani was lying in the bottom of his canoe with only sufficient strength left to steady it from capsizing.

By this time Potou, who was one of the fishing party, was exhausted. Eteke had managed to lash the canoes to gether with fishing tackle and was making desperate efforts to reach the island before darkness came on. The launch shortly afterwards picked them up. The three natives who accom panied the rescue party dropped into the canoes and brought them in over the reef.

The search was continued. So far as the launch party knew, Mr. Camp bell and Rennie were still missing.

Finally a complete circuit of the is land was made. But these two had come ashore at Ngatangiia at 4.30.

The launch reached the wharf at about 8 p.m. Prolonged cheers greeted the rescue party. The exhausted fisher men were attended to. Mani’s condi tion was not serious.

High praise is due to everyone who took part in the rescue work. Makea Tinirau, as the leader of the rescue party, deserves special mention. Mr.

Campbell and Rennie took their lives in their hands in going out in a frail craft. Ua’s action was praiseworthy.

The attempt by Eteke and Putou, in the rescue of Mani, was a very gallant one.