Dredge

Bulolo G.D.'S No. 5

Equipment Worth £50,000 Lost When Motor-ship "Fijian" Sinks in Marshall Group

jV/T ACHINERY and equipment, worth £50,000, consigned to Bulolo Gold Dredging Ltd., New Guinea, for their No. 5 dredge was lost when the freighter Fijian sank in the Marshall Islands at the end of March.

“Coming after the hold-up caused by the American strike, the loss of this equipment will delay the construction of our dredge for some four or five months,” said Mr. L. V. Waterhouse, B.G.D.’s tech nical director in Sydney, in April.

He added that most of the lost parts, comprising miscellaneous material, buck ets, ladders, etc., had already been re placed and would arrive at Lae by the vessel Samoan on July 15. Other mach inery would reach Sydney by the July Matson liner and would be transhipped to New Guinea aboard the Macdhui.

Mr. Waterhouse said that his com pany’s equipment on board the Fijian was covered by insurance.

How “Fijian” Went Down

The first news that the Fijian was in danger was received on March 24, when the vessel, en route to New Guinea from San Francisco, sent out an 5.0.5., stating that a terrific explosion had occurred and that she was on fire. The crew of 40 took to the lifeboats.

The following day a skeleton crew of 10 reboarded the burning steamer. They sent a radio message that the fire was almost under control, but that they needed help. The British freighter Janeta, outward-bound from Sydney, raced to her assistance.

Before the Janeta could get to her, however, the burning ship sank south of the small island of Yaruto (Jaluit) in the Marshall Group. The crew were later picked up by the Japanese steamer Shinko Maru.

Formerly the Silveroak (3380 tons), the Fijian was bought last year by Messrs Flood Bros., of San Francisco, for trad ing between U.S.A. and the South Seas.

She was in command of Captain Parker.