Makambo Beached

B.P. Veteran Ashore at Vila

THE well-known Burns Philp Islands steamer Makambo (1159 tons) sprang a serious leak in Vila Harbour, New Hebrides, on September 20, and was suc cessfully beached the same day. In the middle of October she was still ashore and it was indefinite whether the cost of repairs would warrant her being re floated.

Carrying coal for the Makambo, the Morinda, which maintains the Sydney- Norfolk Island-New Hebrides service, arrived at Vila on September 20 and the Makambo steamed alongside to be loaded.

Shortly afterwards the leak was dis covered. Pumps were unable to cope with the inrush of water and the vessel was beached.

In order to keep up supplies and com munication with outlying islands, the Morinda took over the disabled vessel’s cargo, mostly stores, and 47 passengers.

She made a quick run through the southern portion of the group and, in consequence, her return to Australia was delayed for two days. Captain Richards, who took the Morinda to New Hebrides from Sydney, where he had been spend ing furlough, returned to the command of the Makambo. Captain Richard Perry, who relieved Captain Richards, then took over the Morinda.

The old Makambo had been in the New Hebrides inter-island service for three and a half years, since B.P.’s Malinoa went ashore at Aoba during the hurri cane in April, 1932. Previously she ran between Sydney and New Hebrides, via Norfolk Island.