French Ships
p. 38 · Read in the full issue
Refloated
The French ship, Aldebaran, was refloated from Nanukulevu Reef, on the easternmost edge of Fiji about 5.30 p.m. on December 18, 32 days after she grounded.
Two Burns Philp inter-island traders, the Ratanui and the Zephyr, worked together to free the Aldebaran, which was later towed to Matei at the north end of Taveuni.
While on the reef the Aldebaran survived a tropical storm on December 5 and 6, although she shifted position to sit parallel with the side of the reef. This made her much more difficult to release.
Another French ship, Tamata, went aground on Beqa Reef, near Suva, on December 16, but was refloated the same day.