Mv Channel Star

Becomes Total Loss

T Rabaul, May 8,

HE Government-owned motor vessel Kelaua was no sooner settled at her berth In Rabaul, after her successful salvage of the coastal vessel Meklong (see description on page XX of May PIM) than the manager of the Government Ship ping Service (Lieut-Commander J. H. Evans) was asked if he would proceed in the Kelaua to Jammer Bay, where the motor vessel Channel Star was aground, and in form Lloyds Agents of the position and advise whether salvage was possible. Channel Star was owned by Messrs. Seeto, of Rabaul This was on May 4. Before dusk, the Kalaua had been re-manned,

re-victualled, re-fuelled and re equipped, and in charge of Com mander Evans she left at 9 pm, so as to reach Jammer Bay by day light. She had much the same complement as carried out the suc cessful job on the Meklong.

Daylight showed them the Channel Star deeply imbedded in sand on an unprotected beach, with waves breaking over her.

The Kelaua crept in to within less than a cable’s length, and the party went ashore, through a heavy swell, to inspect.

They spent the day there, and made vain attempts to drag the Channel Star into the water. Then Commander Evans removed enough sand and wreckage to discover that her ribs were cracked and her hull stove in. He officially reported by radio that she was a constructive total loss (that is, salvage would cost more than she was worth) ; and all efforts then were directed to wards recovering all possible gear and equipment. That was not an easy task, owing to the open beach and the breaking seas.

With everything aboard that could be carried away, the Kelaua and her team of salvagers returned to Rabaul on May 7.

A collection of New Guinea, New Britain and Admiralty Islands butterflies, valued at £15,000, was shown at a Sydney store last month.

The exhibition was by courtesy of Sir Edward Halletrom.

Channel Star aground.