Shelling

How Nauru Took the Shelling

From a Special Correspondent

Nauru, Jan. 20.

DECEMBER, 1940, will be remembered as the blackest month in the re corded history of Nauru.

It started badly, and it finished worse.

During the second week-end (Sunday, Bth) the island was visited by a mysterious ship, flying Japanese colours.

On the Saturday afternoon, the vessel circled the island, passing quite close to the reef.

In the early hours of Sunday morning a ship was seen to be on fire, and it gradually drifted over the horizon. Sub sequently, it was learned that the pas sengers were safe; but they were gruelling hours for those watching from the shore, who knew there had been friends or relations on board, and did not know their fate. As other ships failed to report during the day, it was suspected, and afterwards confirmed, that several ships had been destroyed.

This same week-end saw the com mencement of a furious westerly which, lasting a week, was the worst anyone had ever experienced at Nauru. Coconut trees fell like a pack of cards—one falling and striking another, and so bringing down many others. There were narrow escapes from injuries. Trees fell across native houses. The boat harbour was damaged, and the moorings suffered from the storm.

People were recovering from this on slaught of the elements and had enjoyed a less exuberant Christmas than usual, when on the morning of the 27th. a German raider visited and heavily shelled the island.

The Administration evidently was sus picious the previous evening as there had been a complete black-out. Then, at day break on the 27th, a searchlight began to flash, calling-up the island. A message was received, advising the Adminis tration that if it refrained from using the wireless, there would be no indis criminate shelling.

The captain of the raider gave warning so that we might evacuate the settlement, and his first bursts were either blanks, or the shells went along the reef into the sea. Actually, the noise from these was the first indication most people had of the raider's arrival. And by then he was just about in their back-door!

Enormous damage was done by shell fire to the industrial plant on Nauru, but there was no loss of life.

There was no panic. The women and children were extraordinarily calm during the shelling. The morale was splendid; Nauru can take it!

Through the visitation of the raider, the production of a three-act farce, “Facing the Music”, was postponed, but on January 8, Mr. Fred. Harmer pro duced it and took the lead. To put on this show at the end of such a disturbing month was a splendid effort and the residents were grateful to Mr. Harmer, the cast, and all assistants for an event which helped them forget their anxieties.

The proceeds, £2O, went to the Nauru war funds.

Ocean Island Takes

Precautions

After hearing of the shelling of Nauru, prompt action was taken at Ocean Island.

The women and children were evacuated from the settlement near the industrial plant and, had any raider arrived, they would have been safe. It was believed that a raider was in the vicinity. By Monday, December 30, everything was back to normal again. This event has given the residents some idea of what

they will do, and where they will go if at any future time, they have less warn ing of a raider’s visit. Meanwhile, they remain on the alert.

Cured By Fear

When the raider shelled Nauru, a car called at the native hospital to take sick patients away to a less vulnerable spot.

There was an old native who had been on his back for six months, and who cal culated he would be there for another six months. However, when the driver inquired for him he was told that the patient had left the hospital on foot, and was still running.

Death Of William Harris

The death of William Harris, a well known figure in Nauru for many years, was caused indirectly by the shelling.

While running from the danger zone he strained his heart. He was buried on January 5. He was the official Govern ment interpreter and an instructor in Moure School, where he taught the Nauruan boys boat-building. He leaves behind a big family of boys and one girl.

Mr. E. Kenyon, well-known represen tative of “Berger’s Paints”, paid a visit to Suva, Fiji, in January.