Wreck of the Syria Memorial, Nausori

On 13 March the Syria left Calcutta for Fiji. It carried 497 indentured adults, children and infants, as well as a crew of 43 (including 33 lascars – Indian seamen).

On the night of 11 May the ship was wrecked on Nasilai Reef as a result of inexperience and poor navigational facilities. Captain Benson dispatched a boat to Levuka to report the incident. Canoes from Naselai were the first to arrive to rescue the passengers, followed by the government boat Clyde.

59 people died in the tragedy (56 immigrants and 3 lascars). Their bodies were buried near the village of Naivilaca who continue to maintain the site today. The survivors were taken to Nukulau Depot 2 weeks after the incident where they were allocated to various plantations.

Medals were sent by the British Government to the Government of Fiji and they were presented on 23 February at Government House. The villagers who helped recuse the Indians from drowning were commended, including Kiuva, Vadrai, Muana I Ra, Naselai and Naivuaga.

The monument at Syria Park was unveiled on 12 May by Ratu Sir George Cakobau. More than 400 people gathered at Syria Park. More than 40 flags were flying in Nausori town. The monument cost $15,000 and consisted of a wishing well and a bronze replic of the figurehead that was on the ship.

The descendants of these Indian indentured labourers (girmitiyas) who survived the wreck were recognised as “luvendra na ratu” or “children of the chief” by the people of Rewa. This was a symbolic moment because it was the first time that girmitiya have been formally recognised in Fijian custom.