Nimanoa (Ketch) 1929

[Arturo]

She was the Government vessel of Gilbert and Ellice Islands Colony, and carried administrative and treasury officers about the group of Islands, consisting of about forty, and covering an east to west distance of about 2000 miles.

She also carried mails, sometimes rations and also occasionally lepers to the Makogai Leper Asylum in Fiji.

She was, to quote a late Treasurer of the Colony, “a ketch-rigged auxiliary engined abortion” built in 1929 and just over 100 feet long, with a tonnage of 100.

She looks attractive enough on the stamp. The ketch was lying at Tarawa when the Japanese invaded the Island. Her chief officer, who was senior officer aboard at the time, decided to run her on the reef and so prevent her falling into Japanese hands. This he successfully accomplished in the face of enemy machine-gun fire. The Japanese, on their temporary departure from the island left the ship’s company on Tarawa, thinking escape impossible. All, however, managed to get to Fiji. The remains of the Nimanoa can still be seen at low tide.

Gilbert & Ellice Islands 1939 S.G? Scott:49.

Source: Watercraft Philately

[aukepalmhof]

Built as a wooden hulled vessel by Philip & Son Ltd., Dartmouth, U.K.
Dim. 30.5 x 6.7 x 4m.
One auxiliary 4-cyl. diesel engine, 120 bhp.

Gilbert and Ellice Islands 1939 2S sg52, and 1956 2s sg72