Heroic Rescue

Very Quick Work Saves Lives in Papeete

From Our Own Correspondent

Papeete, Dec. 8.

THE deep channel between Tahiti and Moorea is the meeting place of strong currents of the sea.

The high mountains of both islands deflect the winds to stir up the sur face of the waters. Even on a day of comparative calm, a crossing on the little craft that carry wares and pas sengers is an uncomfortable experi ence for those who are not good sailors.

When a boisterous toerau storm blows from the north-west, it lashes the channel to a fury of towering waves which, in endless procession, crash on the barrier and dash on, pouring their waters into Papeete Harbour. This causes a strong current to flow out of Toata Pass. The outflow ing current meeting the waves causes them to curl and crash in the entrance of the Pass, and the surf there is as violent as on the reefs at either side.

Through such a storm the small power-schooner, “Tiare Avaro”, loaded with passengers, came from Moorea, on November 26.

It was a terrifying crossing which should never have been attempted through such seas in so small a craft.

The “Tiare Avaro” captain must have known the risk he took in head ing for Toata Pass. Even the big liner “Eridan”, lying in Papeete Har bour, would not essay the boiling in ferno of cross waves, crashing breakers and battling currents at the Pass, and delayed her departure until the storm abated.

But the “Tiare Avaro” captain chanced it, and disaster overtook him.

The vessel, caught on the crest of a towering wave, with her rudder and propeller in the air, was thrown broadside as the wave curled to break against the current, and capsized as the wave crashed, throwing her pas sengers into the water.

Those who saw the accident be lieved everyone on board would be speedily drowned.

Mr. William B. Leeds, whose yacht “Moana” lay at anchor in the lee of a small islet near the Pass, had been watching the “Tiare Avaro”. When he saw her capsize, he jumped into his motor launch and, ordering his other motor launch and a ship’s boat to follow, dashed out through the Pass to the rescue.

Closely following, the Government power-schooner “Tamara”, with the Governor of French Oceania on board, fought its way out. His Excellency had been at the quay and, seeing the accident, had gone aboard the “Tamara” to direct the work of rescue.

They were in time. All the “Tiare Avaro” passengers save one (who was carried away by the current and

overwhelmed before help arrived) were rescued, and hurried ashore to the hospital, where they were cared for until they had recovered from the shock of their terrifying experience.

On November 29, in the “Bulletin du Presse”, the Governor, in a special announcement, expressed his warm thanks to those who assisted to rescue the people from the “Tiare Avaro”; and especially to the captain and crew of the American yacht “Moana”, who acted so quickly and effectively.