Adventurous Quest
p. 19 · Read in the full issue
Mining Engineer’s Journey To N.G. Under Sealed Orders
IN June last Mr. Bartle Ryan, a Mel bourne mining engineer, left Syd ney by the Macdhui with boring and shafting equipment to test an alluvial property in New Guinea. There was much secrecy about his destination. He told the Pacific Islands Monthly that he was under sealed orders. “Until I get to Kavieng I am uncertain exactly where I shall go,” he replied to inquiries. “Wait till I return in August, then I’ll be able to tell the story,” he said assuringly.
Came August 30, and as the Macdhui pulled into B.P.’s No. 6 wharf, sure enough there was the grey-haired mining man leaning contentedly on the rails, ready to tell his tale.
“On arrival at New Ireland,” began Mr.
Ryan, “I opened the envelope, finding that with three white men and 13 natives I had to cross by launch to Tatau Island, in the Tabar Group, 80 odd miles south east of Kavieng. I inspected the property, made tests, and found it to carry not alluvial gold, but a payable lode for mation.
“On the way back to Kavieng,, in the open sea, the launch ran into a gale,” he said. “The rudder was torn from the boat and we were disabled and helpless in a big sea. Repairs could not be effected and we were tossed about for hours. Just when we were beginning to fear that we would be swamped and drowned, another vessel came over the horizon. It was W. R. Carpenter and Co.’s motor vessel Desikoko, on a course taken only occasionally, “With difficulty we were rescued and landed at a plantation 100 miles south of Kavieng. When the weather moderated, we rigged up an improvised rudder and had to beat our way back to port.
“The discovery of gold at Tatau was remarkable,” continued Mr. Ryan. “It appears that an Islands schooner was driven into the lee of the island for shel
ter. As he prepared to leave the cove, the skipper noticed gold in the mud on the anchor when he raised it. He told a few friends of the find, including Mr.
Charles Petterson, a veteran planter of Maragon, New Ireland.
“Petterson prospected the place and won 200 ounces of gold, which he thought to be alluvial. He formed a small syn dicate, and on their behalf I was ap proached to go to New Guinea to look over the property. Yes, I think the area has promising possibilities,” he con cluded, “but, of course, the future de velopment of it lies in the hands of the syndicate.”