Suwarrow Is. To-Day

Visit of American Yacht “Nomad”

Letter to the Editor.

I read with great interest the article about Suwarrow Island, in the August Pacific Islands Monthly, and may be able to supply a little additional information.

On April 3, 1933, the American yacht “Nomad,” set sail from Suva, bound for San Francisco. On board were four young men (one of whom was myself) who were destined to spend 169 days aboard the 50ft. cvaft before reaching California.

After calling at several islands in the Eastern Fiji group, we visited Nukualofa, Vavau and Pago Pago. Leaving American Samoa we sailed for Danger Island, or Puka Puka, for some years the home of Robert Frisbie, author of the book “Puka Puka.” It was after leaving the latter island, that we struck adverse winds and sets, which threw us off our course.

We spent eight days getting nowhere so decided to make for the nearest land, and accordingly at 8.30 a.m. on June 9, we dropped anchor in the lagoon at Suwarrow Island. The 50 coconut trees mentioned by Captain Sterndale had multiplied to several thousand, in fact considerable difficulty was experienced in getting through the bush owing to the growth of young trees. There were two or three buildings in a dilapidated state, also an old sail-boat in a rotting con dition.

We replenished our water supply from a large concrete cistern which must have held several hundred gallons. Tacked to

the wall of the largest building was a notice stating that the schooner France had visited the island in 1926. Fish and seabirds were in abundance.

After cavorting about the island for four glorious days—“kings of all we surveyed,” we set sail, and on June 28, arrived at Penrhyn Island, where we had the good fortune to meet Captain Viggo Rasmus sen and Mr. Philip Woonton, the Resident Agent. They were kindness itself —and we enjoyed several good meals and some good Scotch on board the “Tiare Taporo,” before setting sail for Honolulu.

I am, etc,,

Rob. R. Wright.

Loloma Gold Mine, Tavua, Fiji. 28/10/35.