Adventure of the Seaspray
IN the late 1960s the TV series, the Adventure of the Seaspray had become a popular television show. The schooner used during filming had earned a name for itself and later become a favourite tourist attraction in the Yasawa in the 1970s.
An article published in this newspaper on Monday, April 10, 1972 reported about a reef rescue after a cruiseship was grounded. The cruiseship was the Seaspray.
This newspaper reported that about 50 tourists were rescued from the famous schooner as she lay hard aground on a reef 16 miles from Lautoka.
Small boats from Tai Island two miles away were hit by a squall as they ferried the stranded passengers to the rescue ship Negera.
The manager of Tai Island Resort at the time, Tony Wilkinson, said the weather had made passengers uncomfortable during the grounding.
They were frightened but there were no injuries.
The Negera which operated on a regular schedule to Tai was due at Lautoka with the rescued passengers.
The Yasawa cruise ship Lycianda
had attempted to pull the Seaspray
from the reef.
“The Seaspray appears to be high and dry,” Mr Wilkinson said.
“She is listing about 45 degrees to starboard, some rigging are broken and sails are hanging over the starboard side.”
Mr Wilkinson said the stranded were sighted by Tai staff and crew from the Negera.
“The Seaspray went aground about 4pm, “he said.
A local fisherman helped the Tai crew and staff in the rescue operation.
The Government pilot vessel Seniua was reported to be on her way to the stricken Seaspray.
A three-man crew was left on board the schooner.
The schooner made daily voyages to Castaway Island, a tourist resort near Tai.
The schooner was part of a Pacific Film Production in association with Screen Gems where the vessel was charted by a journalist Dan Wells and his children with a help of Fijian crewman.
The character Dan Wells was played by Walter Brown while Susanne Haworth played Sue Wells.
Gary Gray played Mike Wells while Rodney Pearlman played Noah Wells.
The character, Willyum Lesi known for his iconic Fijian buiniga
was played by Leone Lesianawai.
The schooner adventure was produced by Roger Mirams and aired back in 1967.
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