Queensland Cyclone

"Ruena" Beached After Queensland Cyclone

AFTER barely a year in the service of her owners, the Fairymead Sugar Co., Ltd., the 100-ton motor vessel “Ruena” now lies beached near Double Island on the North Queensland coast. was caught in the pre-Easter cyclone which did extensive damage to the Queensland and Northern NSW coastal areas.

The vessel was purchased in Newcastle by the owners and refitted in Sydney for tropical conditions. She carried about 100 tons of cargo and when she was put into commission about a year ago began running supplies between Sydney and the company’s properties in the British Solomon Islands, via Bunda berg, Queensland. .

“Ruena” has been one of the few ship ping links between Australia and BSI ports and has on several occasions carried Solomons planters back to the Protectorate. She left Sydney on March 19.

On March 23, when the “Ruena’s” plight first became known, her master, Captain Arthurson, radioed that there

were several feet of water in her engine-room and that he was having a great battle to keep the vessel afloat. He finally beached her near Double Island on March 26 and the crew swam ashore through a terrific sea. They were finally rescued from the mainland —3 Europeans and 9 Solomon Islanders.

On March 31. the Sydney office of the company reported that “Ruena” was resting on sand, that the cargo was be ing salvaged and that it was expected that the vessel would be refloated. There appeared to be no great damage to the hull, although most of the superstructure had been carried away.

"Ruena" in Sydney just before her maiden voyage last year.