shipstamps.co.uk

Built by Whampoa Dock Co. Ltd., Hong Kong for the British Solomon Island Government.
1956 Launched under the name MELANESIAN.
Tonnage 241 gross, 98 net, dim. 118.3 x 27.2 x 8ft.(draught)
Powered by two Gardner 8L3’s engines, each 144 bhp, twin screws. Trial speed 9.75 knots.
One hold to carry 100 tons of general cargo or 90 ton of copra.
Three passenger cabins, to accommodate seven first class passengers.
Call sign ZGJM.

Used for the Solomon Island Government sponsored copra buying service to all parts of the Protectorate, also used by the High Commissioner and his wife and staff for their extensive tours among the Solomon islands and to the neighboring groups of the New Hebrides and the Gilbert and Ell ice Islands.

Made her delivery voyage to the Solomon Islands under command of Capt. Douglass M.Thorsen, sailed from Hong Kong on 1 November 1956, returned the same day to one of the outer bays for adjustment of the steering gear. Arrived at Manila Bay on 5 November after a boisterous and an uneasy passage with an average speed of 8.47 knots. The vessel did not handle easy during bad weather and it was decided to make some alternations on the hull. She was docked at the Fernandez Shipyard El Varadero de Manila, Sangley Point, Cavite in Manilla Bay.
10 November sailed from Manila and made a call three days later at Zamboanga, south Philippines for fresh water and provision. From this port she sailed to Sorong in that time Dutch New Guinea, then to Biak Island in the same territory for fuel and vegetables before sailing to Hollandia for some small repairs.
From Hollandia the MELANESIAN proceed trough the St George’s Channel for the last 1.110 miles to the Solomon Islands. Two months after sailing from Hong Kong she arrived at Honiara. Her average speed during the voyage was 9.4 knots.

09 July 1958 early in the morning, with on board 64 people, under which 7 European passengers she sailed from Suulafu, on the coast of Malaita for Sikiana in the Stewart Islands, under command of Capt Davis. The distance was 60 miles. The weather was overcast with a moderate breeze and sea. Her E.T.A. for Sikiana was 05.00pm that day, but the MELANESIAN was never seen again, and she was lost with all on board.

Source: Log Book. Ships on the Australian New Zealand & Islands Registers. Sea Breeze December 1994 page 951.