Misadventure In
p. 30 · Read in the full issue
Western Papua
Oil - Seeking Party's Epic Struggle to Reach Dam
From a Special Correspondent DARTT. July 18. r J"*HE firsb week-end in July brought news to Daru (Western Papua) of a misadventure in which were concerned two white men and seven natives, mem bers of the staff of the oil-seeking Is lands Exploration Limited.
This small partv, camped up the Oriomo River, found it necessary to re turn to Daru through the serious illness of one of the bovs. During the vovage. after emerging from the mouth of the Oriomo River, the canoe was swamped in the heavy seas prevailing, and the party found themselves in a serious pre dicament. They were about a mile off a particularlv inhospitable coast char acterised -by bottomless mud and an im penetrable tangle of mangrove stems roots, the sea was nasty, and the dark ness of a typical “dirty” south-east night enveloped them.
There followed an epic struggle to reach land. Thanks to the resolution and skill of the white members, this was effected before daylight, but those ter rible hours of darkness were not fated to pass without tragedy.
While the majority of the boys stuck manfullv to their leaders, three broke away, though warned not to do so. The
party had been menaced all the way by the numerous alligators of the Oriomo estuary, and it was only fear of numbers tbat prevented an attack. As soon as the party split, the expected tragedy occurred, one unfortunate native being seized and instantly killed.
Most of the ensuing day was spent in an heroic struggle to reach the nearest native village, and this was finally effected despite manv difficulties. The leaders deserve much credit for skill and endurance, as the sick bov hqd to be carried through heavv breaking seas and along the vergp of the man groves, thus placing an additional strain on the party.
On arrival at the village, a message was sent to Daru, and the authorities there sent a boat across to rescue the party.
People who live in the wilds of Papua aud New Guinea often suffer from exae - aerated reports in th e Australian dailv press of accidents tbat mav occur, and anxiety is caused to relatives in Aus tralia by reading them. In this case it remains to be mentioned that all the participants have fully recovered with out any permanent ill effects, and have the satisfaction of knowing they successfully passed every test of leadership and courage.
Friends in Australia may feel re assured that such accidents are of rare occurrence and that both natives a 1 whites in Papua are always ready to help those in trouble.