Wreck Of M.V.

"Tutu I La"

Accident in Apia-Pago Service

From a Special Correspondent

Pago Pago, Jan. 10.

THE diesel-engined motor-boat “Tu tuila,” bound from Apia, British Samoa, to Pago Pago, American Samoa, during morning twilight to-day struck a reef off Leone Point, 11 miles to the eastward of the entrance to Pago Pago harbour, and was thrown up by the heavy surf on to the beach at Vailotai.

Two small native children from Apia were washed overboard and drowmed. and their bodies have not yet been recovered.

The “Tutuila,” 40 tons, carried 28 pas sengers and a crew of 5 when the acci dent occurred. Her cargo of 25 tons of cocoa beans was damaged, but all has been recovered.

The engine and some fittings have been recovered, but the hull is a total loss.

The “Tutuila” was commanded, and was being conned, by Joseph Steffany, a part-owner, when she struck. Steffany is a citizen of American Samoa. The “Tutuila” was not covered by insurance.

An investigation to determine the cause of the disaster is being conducted.

The “Tutuila” was built for this trade by the owner, the late Captain Steffany, and has carried on a remunerative trade between British and American Samoa for over four years. In fact, she was almost the only connecting link between those islands, and on every trip carried a large number of passengers. Since Captain Steffany’s death his eldest son has been in charge.

Three years ago. while engaged in this same service, the motor boat “Tiafau”

foundered, in the straits between the islands of Upolu and Tutuila.

Although the adult passengers were saved, most of their luggage was lost.

The 25 h.p. diesel engine of the “Tutuila” was installed only a few months ago.

Among the European passengers on board were Rev. P. Kightley (of the Lon don Missionary Society) with his wife and child, Miss Nora Brunt and Miss Edna Rivers.