Ketch Lost

“Plover” Sinks in Storm Off Papuan Coast

From a Special Correspondent.

Samarai, Feb. 13.

THE ketch Plover, owned by Mr. D.

Henderson, pearl-sheller of Samarai, was lost off the north-eastern coast of Papua, on January 30. The owner’s son, Mr. R. Henderson, who was on board, and 10 natives, managed to reach the shore safely.

On a recruiting trip, the vessel lay be calmed in Goodenough Bay, some 12 miles to the N.E. of the Anglican Mission station at Dogura. About 3 p.m. a big

N.W. storm appeared in the bay and bore down on the ketch with such force that before she had time to get steerage way and head into the storm, she was thrown on her beam ends. The water poured into the hold, from which some of the natives were escaping. It was now teeming with rain, and the ketch quickly sank.

Luckily a dinghy which was on deck floated off, and into this scrambled the unfortunate white man and natives.

Realising that 11 persons and a dog were far too many for a 9ft. dinghy, Mr. Hen derson ordered three natives to clamber onto a hatch cover which, had also floated off. This was secured astern of the dinghy.

By this time the storm had blown itself out, and the rain had ceased. The coast line was now visible, so the party com menced their long pull to the shore.

After about six hours they scrambled ashore at Wedau village, just below the Anglican Mission station.

The missionaries were at once informed and they immediately took care of the eleven weary men. The mission schooner Maclaren King later took Mr. Henderson and the natives to Samarai.

At an inquiry on February 3 into the foundering of the Plover, it was stated that the loss of the vessel was covered by insurance.