"Pioneer" Passes

Fiji Government Yacht Sunk

Prom Our Own Correspondent.

Suva, Apr. 1.

ON March 24, H.M.C.S. “Pioneer”, the yacht which has served the Fiji Government for many year on official business throughout the Group, made her last voyage. The dismantled hull was towed 12 miles out to sea and sunk by an explosive charge.

The sinking was supervised by Cap tain G. B. Nasmyth (Harbourmaster), and Mr. H. Sabben (Engineer of the Public Works Dept,), and the old ship, which held happy memories for many residents of Fiji sank with her flag fly ing.

Her master for many years, Captain J. P. Mullins, and the Chief Officer, Mr.

J. Neville, are both absent on leave at the present time, while her Second Officer, Mr. G. V. Langdale, is acting Administrative Officer at Canton Is land, so that none of her deck officers was present at the sinking.

The “Pioneer” had an interesting his tory. Completed just about the out break of the Great War, she was the first vessel built in England to be fitted with internal combustion engines. She was built for a millionaire, Mr. Singer, of sewing machines fame, but was com mandeered for war service by the Ad miralty. She saw service as a despatch boat and then, at the cessation of hos

tilities, the owner refused to take de livery of her. She was then sold to Fiji as a Government yacht and saw much service in the Group.

At the last meeting of the Legislative Council, an appropriation for the build ing of a vessel to replace the “Pioneer” was approved. It will be constructed at Hong Kong.