Tahiti Suffers a Tragedy

Ship Lost

From Our Own Correspondent PAPEETE. March 1.

A TRAGEDY of the sea which has brought sorrow and desolation to many families of Tahiti, was the loss of the “Tere Ora” during the storm of January 16 to 18, last.

This storm, which broke over the is lands on the evening of the 16th, was not the classic type of hurricane, but rather a series of sudden squalls, during which the wind attained a velocity of 95 or more, kilometers per hour.

The “Tere Ora” left Papeete for Ra ‘iatea, in the Leeward Islands, on the afternoon of January 16. The ship had just returned from an expedition through the Tuamotu Archipelago, and the cap tain and crew (with the permission of the owners) made the shorter voyage to

Ra’iatea the occasion of a pleasant out ing for their families and chosen friends.

It was a happy little party that sailed away on that calm afternoon.

Late in the evening of the 16th, the storm struck. The report by wireless, on the following day, that the “Tere Ora” had not arrived at Ra’iatea did not arouse any alarm. It was believed she had taken refuge in one of the safe

harbours of Moorea or Huahine—islands which are sighted on voyages to Ra’iatea.

Not until the power-boat “Hiro” ar rived from the Leeward Islands by way of Huahine and Moorea, several days later, was it learned that the “Tere Ora” was at none of these places. The power schooner “Vaitere” was immediately des patched in search of the “Tere Ora”.

The search was thorough; covering all the neighboring waters and extending to every outlying island and atoll. No trace, no fragment of flotsam has been found at sea or on any beach up to the time of this writing—late in February.

Those on board the “Tere Ora” were: — Officers: Damas Perry, captain; Theo dore Vii, supercargo; Rootane Tupea, engineer.

Crew: Tai Tehahe, Francois Paiatua, lona Katupa, Puhehe Pukoka, Marcel Tamarii.

Passengers: M. and Madame Turifaite Vii, Mile Marie Paume, Madame Natua and child, M. Ona Paiti, Madame Marie Stein and child.

The “Tere Ora” —a staunch vessel of 96 tons powered by 90 h.p. full diesel engines—was the property of Francaise Maratime de Tahiti. Like the “Vaite” belonging to the same company and wrecked some months ago in the Tua motu Islands, the “Tere Ora” had become something of an institution in the waters of that Archipelago and the Marquesas Islands. (Note: This report was delayed in trans mission to Sydney.) Miss Ida Kent, of the New Guinea Mission, returned to her work in Papua in April, after spending furlough in Queensland.

The "Tere Ora.”

Photo: A. B. Donald, Ltd