Timber Ship on Solomon Is.

Reef

A FTER having been stuck fast on a re ef at Vanikoro, Solomon Islands, for four days, the steamer Erica reached Sydney on May 21. She will enter dock for inspection.

The Erica (5,112 tons), which is owned by South African Railways and Har bours, arrived at Vanikoro early on April 26, and at about 7 a.m., on entering the passage, struck a portion of the point of the reef, and went up to nearly two-thirds of the ship’s length, on the coral reef.

Many efforts were made to get the ship off and, next morning at 3 a.m., the cargo consisting of sawn timber and 200 logs from the Philippines, was jettisoned.

Great assistance was rendered by the employees and management of the Vani koro Kauri Timber Co., who worked in shifts day and night to lighten the ship, and tow the logs away from her side.

Both anchors, after much trouble and with the aid of derricks, were placed in position on the reef, and within two days the ship was floated off.