In 1800 Bukatatanoa Reef, near Lakeba, was where the American schooner Argo ran aground. One crew member died, but the ship carried a deadlier cargo which was to infest the Fiji group under the name “Lila Balavu” a strain of Asian cholera.
The Argo was closely followed by the La Plumier which had picked up Oliver Slater, who had discovered and was the first man to market sandalwood from Bua.
Filed under: Argo, Asian cholera, Bua, Death, Disease, La Plumier, Sandalwood, Wrecks
