Cursed By Onion-Merchants,
p. 63 · Read in the full issue
Japanese Steamer Ashore
ON her first voyage from Yokohama to Sydney, the Japanese freighter, “China Maru”, 5,870 tons, was stran ded on Balum Island, in the Feni group, off the east coast of New Ireland (and about 130 miles in a direct line from Ra baul) before daybreak on June 26.
On June 27 the small Carpenter steamer “Mako" left Rabaul to assist the “China Maru”. It was decided to jettison 1,600 tons of bunker coal, and attempt to re float the badly damaged steamer and take her to Rabaul for temporary repairs.
Among the 3,700 tons of general cargo for Australia are 300 tons of Japanese onions, consigned to Sydney to meet an unusual shortage there, but which the
Chinese merchants of Sydney decided to boycott, as a national duty.
The “Mako” succeeded in dragging the “China Maru” off the rocks, on July 5; but further trouble developed when the towline fouled the propeller. For eight hours a diver, clinging to the rudder post, worked frantically below water to clear the propeller, while the “Mako” towed desperately to prevent the freighter be ing washed back on to the reef. Eventu ally, the towline was freed, and the two vessels headed for Rabaul—arriving on July 7.