G. & E. Ship On Reef

GILBERT & Ellice Islands government’s motor-vessel, “Margaret,” on the reef at Nanumea, where she went ashore on September 15. Inspecting her are Captain Graham Miller, of the Seventh Day Adventist ship, “Fetau’ao,” and Pastor J. T. Howse (formerly of the SDA at Abemama, Gilbert Islands, who was returning to New Zealand after serv ing for some years in G&E Colony).

Captain Mullins, skipper of the “Mar garet,” intended to pull her across the reef by block and tackle, as far as the natives could get her, then build a rough cradle of drums and palm so that she might float off the reef into the lagoon al the next highest tide.

The entering of Nanumea passage is tricky business at anytime. Captain Mul lins apparently lay off the island for s couple of days in bad weather, and ther tried to get into the lagoon but a heavj sea threw the vessel right on to the reef

The narrow channel into the Nanumei lagoon was blasted by the Americans dur ing the war.

The Margaret was still on the reef a the beginning of November. She has beei stripped of her engine and other weight; equipment.

With the Margaret out of action, an the Nimanoa disabled in Tarawa with broken tail shaft, the Gilbert and Ellic Government has only the small ketd Kiakia available for work among th Islands.