More Wild Rumours
p. 25 · Read in the full issue
Joyita
Again!
THE Sydney Sun, which breaks out in goose-pimples every time the ai \ d S^l1 P J°yita is mentioned, headlined a story “Fight Over Joyita n T £ ov , ember 27 and stated that the US Maritime Commission had refused to recognise the recent sale of the vessel in Suva. “An in volved legal fight is brewing,” com mented the paper—the Joyita was to be “sealed” when she returned port after a trading voyage.
“Fantastic and irresponsible ” commented Mr. Maurice Scott, legal representative in Suva of former pwner, Miss K. Luomala, who lives He said authority to sell the vessel was given in Suva, and consent for the transfer had now been received.
In the meantime, Joyita has been given temporary registration at Suva pending confirmation from London.
Miss Luomala was faced with salvage charges and cost of repairs and decided to sell the vessel rather than meet the charges, and it was sold to a Fiji planter, Mr. David Simpson, for £2,450 some months ago. The Joyita has been recom missioned and sails between Suva and Vanua Levu ports. (Joyita disappeared October, 1955, while on a voyage frpm Apia to the Tokelaus, later being discovered derelict and abandoned. The fate of passengers and crew has never been discovered).