"Desikoko" In The Gilberts

MESSRS. W. R. Carpenter & Co.’s m.v. “Desikoko” arrived at Tarawa on April 1, after a twelve days’ run from Rabaul. She is to take up the “John Bolton’s” run, collecting copra in the Gilbert and Ellice Islands, for two or three months.

It was found, on arrival of the “John Bolton” at Rabaul from the Gilberts for her annual overhaul, that there would be a longer delay on the slip than was anticipated, and as there is a time-limit imposed by the Government for the col lection of tax-copra in the Ellice Islands, the transfer of the “Desikoko” to the “John Bolton’s” run was essential.

The “Desikoko” arrived at Rabaul, a new ship of 200 tons, about five years ago. Captain Meldrum is in charge, with

chief-engineer Cox. She was extensively damaged in Rabaul during the volcanic eruption. Successive tidal waves, sweep ing in and receding, caused her to be tossed alternately on to the wharf and back to the sea-bed, fracturing her keel and fourteen frames amidships. She sub sequently broke away from the wharf in the night and was carried down Blanche Bay, to be smothered in pumice and vol canic ash, but was rescued next morning.

Engineer Cox providentially finding it

still possible to work her engine and bring her in to an anchorage. She was subsequently taken to Sydney under her own power, where repairs were effected.

Mr. and Mrs. R. A. Derrick, and two of their children, arrived in Sydney from Suva, Fiji, by the “Monterey” on April 21. on short furlough. Mr. Derrick is en gaged in mission work for the Methodist Mission in the Colony.