"Vagus" Lost

Londoner's Bod Luck in Northern Cooks

From Our Own Correspondent

Rarotonga, April 27.

ASAD fate overtook the fine little auxiliary schooner “Vagus”, which arrived in the Cook Islands in December last, after a hazardous voyage, lasting 84 days, direct from Panama.

The lone occupant, Mr. J. Pratt, of London, assesses this as the longest dir ect hop yet made single-handed, a dis tance of approximately 5,800 sea-miles.

The only land sighted between Panama and Rarotonga was the uninviting cliffs of the Southern Marquesas.

Mr. Pratt was in search of an old friend, author and wanderer, Ronald Powell, who recently retired to live on remote Palmerston Island. After a short stay in Rarotonga, the “Vagus” there fore sailed direct for Palmerston; and, although Powell is married to a Palmer ston Island girl, Pratt persuaded him to accompany the ship as far as Suwarrow Island, where he resolved to carry out certain repairs and alterations.

The only other inhabitants of Suwar row at the time were three NZ Public Works men, four native helpers, and author Robert Dean Frisby and his family.

Although reports are not yet clear as to the position at the time, terrific seas and winds of hurricane force struck the island about February 15, compelling all the people to take refuge in trees. For several days, no further news came from

the unfortunate people, but at last a report was received that the “Vagus” had snapped her moorings and was a com plete loss, and that all on the island had barely escaped with their lives, and nothing else.

A passing schooner has now called, to assist them, and their arrival in Raro tonga is awaited with interest.

Those who knew her will indeed mourn the fate of the “Vagus”, for she was one of the trimmest and best-fitted little ships seen around these waters for many a long day.