Yankee Sails NG River

FROM Commander Irving M.

Johnson’s Brigantine Yankee, which is on her sixth world voyage (see PIM June), Mrs. Electa Johnson sends an account of their visit to New Guinea and, in par ticular the Yankee’s first trip up the Sepik river.

Although the vessel draws 12 feet they ventured over 200 miles up the river to Ambunti, travelling through country that was both beautiful and fascinating, says Mrs.

Johnson. Mr. Jim Leahy, of Goroka, accompanied them on the river voyage. Although, like his famous brothers, he has walked over great areas of NG, this was his first trip up the Sepik.

Yankee experienced no serious mishap, although the trip was not entirely without incident. A sub merged log bent one of the pro peller blades and to straighten it again necessitated removal of the shaft—a major operation in the ship.

On the way down-stream, the 200tons vessel, travelling at a good knots, ran hard onto a clay bank.

They were lucky, however, in the si?e and shape of the obstruction, and the position of a strong tree on the river bank.

With a salvage cable, which Yankee has carried unused around the world five and a half times, two tackles and 25-man power, they managed to pull the stern around, pivoting on the shoal, and into deep

water. Much as they enjoyed the Sepik, says Mrs. Johnson, they were extremely glad not to have been stuck there for a month or so.

Most of Yankee’s complement visited Goroka and other parts of the Highlands; some undertaking hikes with a patrol-officer. Every one took the opportunity of seeing a tremendous Sing-Sing and pig

killing on the mountain ou Chimbu Both the Commander and Johnson saw many changes in Guinea since their last visit t years ago. They were impn with the activity and pro* apparent in their many ports of and were also appreciative of

Guinea hospitality.