Joyita: Solving the MysteryIn 1955 the United States-owned ship Joyita mysteriously disappeared while sailing between Apia, Samoa, and Tokelau in the Pacific Ocean. The ship was discovered in poor condition near Fiji five weeks later, but no trace has ever been found of the 25 crew and passengers who had been aboard. This is an account of events and a thorough investigation of possible explanations. It evokes the exotic expatriate life of the mid-century Pacific Islands with colorful characters and unexpected relationships. |
Contents
The Joyita and its People | 1 |
The Fatal Voyage | 19 |
The Commission of Inquiry | 50 |
Later Theories | 64 |
What Must Have Happened | 83 |
What Became of Dusty Miller? | 98 |
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abandoned ship air search Andy Parsons Apia appeared April Atafu attempt auxiliary engine became boat boat's Captain cargo Carley floats cause Chuck Simpson claim collision commission of inquiry commission's copra Coxons crew and passengers damage deck Degei Dr Parsons drift Dusty Miller engine room evidence fact Fakaofo Fiji Folder freak wave fuel Gilbert Islands Hodgkinson Ibid Jack Thornton Japanese fishing Joyita disaster Joyita Mystery Joyita was found Katharine Luomala later Lepaio Levuka Luomala Malau miles never November Nukunonu October voyage official Okesene Vaovasa Olohega Pacific Pago Penaia Peter Plowman Photo port engine port side presumably probably radio aerial lead rafts reef refloated remained RNZAF Rob Wright Robin Maugham Roger Pearless Roland West sailed Savai'i seaman seems starboard side story superstructure Suva Tagifano Tanini tarpaulin Tekoko theories Tokelau Fakaofo Tokelau Islands Tokelauans trip vessel waterlogged Western Samoa witnesses Zealand Herald