Shipwrecked

American Yacht "Malabar"

From Our Own Correspondent

Papeete, Dec. 18.

TRAGEDY and misfortune have follow ed the U.S. yacht “Malabar”, of Los Angeles, since she entered the seas of French Oceania in September.

On her voyage south, one of the sons of the owner was drowned in the most tragic of accidents.

After remaining some weeks at Pa peete, the “Malabar” departed for Hono lulu by way of the Tuamotu Islands. At sunset, November 18, when about ten miles north of north-west of Kaukura, the vessel was overtaken by a dead calm.

The sea currents among the Tuamotu atolls are strong and rapid. One of these laid hold of the “Malabar” and carried her toward Kaukura. With no wind, her sails were useless; and, as so often happens in a crisis of this kind, the auxiliary motor failed.

At 4.30 a.m. the yacht—notwithstand ing every effort to keep her off —was carried into the surf and thrown on the reef of the isle Vehi Vehi. By rare good fortune all on board got safely ashore.

Like many of the atolls of the Tua motu, Kaukura is not a continuous cir cle of land, but a chain of islets of vari ous sizes set along the course of the reef. Vehi Vehi is one of these. It is uninhabited, and distant about 18 miles from the main settlement.

Apparently, no one at the village knew of the wreck until November 23. The ■ Malabar” party had, therefore, to make camp with such materials they could gather together, until they were rescued and carried to the main island. Stormy weather prevented departure until De cember 1. The only vessel available was a small cutter used heretofore only to navigate the waters of the lagoon.

The “Malabar” party, impatient to get away, took the chance of sailing on this tiny craft, and arrived safely at Papeete on December 4.