Cheng Ho Still At

Anchor

Mr. Otto Degener Is Married

ITTHE mystery of the once-luxurious 1L Pacific Islands cruising ship Cheng Ho. (built by the Arch ed interests, modelled on a Chinese junk, and intended for use •y botanists) becomes deeper.

The Cheng Ho was transferred by sirs. Archbold, several years ago, to Ir. Otto Degener, well-known •otanist, of Hawaii. Mr. Degener •ermitted her use, for a time, by Captain Eric de Bisschop, who was 7 ichy Consul in Honolulu in war ime, and who took her to French Oceania and used her for trading, nd had her registered in Papeete.

For a year, the ownership of the essel has been subject to com licated legal proceedings. In 1952, ! aptain de Bisschop anchored her i the harbour, off Papeete, and ;ft her there —and she still is there, neared for and obviously deteri rating.

It was expected that Mr. Degener ould have gone to Papeete in 1952 nd attempted to have title and igistration clarified; but he has sen travelling in various countries, i April, writing to Mr. Oscar ordman, of Papeete, he stated that i January 10 last he married “a vely young botanist of Danish erman Huguenotte extraction, and e are living in the Black Forest. • the French Zone.” He states also tat he is in frequent touch with aris about the Cheng Ho; that he ill not accept her in her present imaged and deteriorated condition, e indicates that he wants around 0,000 compensation, and he ex icts the French Administration to ty this to him, and accept owner ip of the Cheng Ho. He blames e French authorities for the pre nt legal tangle, which leaves the leng Ho swinging ownerless at ichor; and he is writing many :ters to American officials on the bject.