ON A DESERT ISLAND.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2095, 3 June 1907, Page 1

ON A DESERT ISLAND.

Fortunately for tlio captain and crow of tlio steamer Ingorid, the expedition formed for tli© relief of the shipwrecked crew on the Crozot Islands, in the South Seas, was raised in summer, and not in wintry weather, wkon the intense cold of tho Antarctic Ocean might have proved uncomfortable. Much more was it fortunate for tho shipwrecked crow themselves, that fine weather prevailed during their two months’ onforced residence on tho main island of the Crozet Group. Some interesting dotails of the expedition—which proved unnecessary in view of the kindly efforts of one of the New Zealand liners, which res;cuod the men from the Norwegian schooner Catherine from their plight —were gathered on board the Ingerid. This coasting steamer of GOO tons register, returned to Capetown early in April, having called at Knysna on her way back for a cargo of 11,000 railway sleepers. , It took only nine days to reach the island in question, the distance from Capetown being 1700 miles. Fine weather favored the steamor, and the Crozeta were easily found. A landing place on the biggest island, named Possession Island, was reached without difficulty by Captain Tjensvold, his right-hand man (First Mate Martliiessen) and three men, iff a dinghy. It was early morning when they landed. Everything looked peaceful, except the remains of the wrecked schooner on the edge of a razor-like reef projecting from the shore.

“The first thing wo saw on landing,” said Martliiessen, when interviewed, “was a lot of sea-lions along tho beach, lying lazily unconscious of our presence. They were big animals, something liko a cross between a seal and a whale, and we were careful that they did not attack us, until we found that they didn’t trouble us. We were armed, and we shot one of these sea-lions, but the others hardly budged, and were not the least bit frightened. They only looked rather surprised at the fall of the one we shot.”

' Continuing, Martliiessen said they found themselves on a fairly large island, 15 miles long and seven to eight miles wide. It was evidently of volcanic origin, and the shingle was pebbly and the sand black’. The majority of the stones showed signs of ore and crystals. From the broad sweep of the bay where the landing was effected tlie island rose with an easy gradient. Its height at the centre was 5000 ft. In places, high cliffs bordered the island, aiid one long arm reached out into the sea. At the end of this is a ridge of rocks, at tjie extreme end of which lay wreckage, being the remains of tl 1 p ill-fated schooner. There was a little green grass fringing the shore of-the bay. The wreck had evidently been split in two, and one portion had swept ashore. About one hundred yards from the landing place was a hut built of wreckage, and towards this the new arrivals promptly made their way. No other men were to be seen, but many signs of human habitation were observed, in addition td the hut. Plenty of fresh water was obtainable, there being a good stream running from the mountain to tho ses. Stepping inside t|».e hut, Captain Tjensvold found that ten men had occupied it, there being bunks on either side. In the contre of the room was a table, and the arrangement of tho Jiut wa§ similar to that of a ship’s forecastle. Then tho members of the expedition found tho message loft by the captain of tho steamor Turaltina. Hanging over the table in a prominent position was a largo tin securely closed, bearing on the outside in large red letters, the words, “Important letter.” Inside this tin was a smaller one, which contained a statement to tho effoct that all of the shipwrecked men had been picked up by the steamer, and were being taken to Hobart, Tasmania. Finding that this was tho case, the Ingerid’s duty was done, anjl preparations were made to return, after a look round. From certain indications ui the hut, it was found that the shipwrecked crew had partly existed on stores rescued from the wreck, all of which, however, werernoro or less damaged by the salt water. Warmth had been gained by means of a stove, and there were plenty of matches and firewood left in the hut. There was half a case of condensed milk, a tin of flour spoiled by salivate;-, a few bags of beans and peas, also sodden and hanging up to dry. Lastly there was a qu.ftntity of ammunition in cases, each package containing about a thousand cartridges. There were but few birds on the island; but penguins were to be found, besides the sea-lions. One “king” penguin was observed, and this creature was easily taken by the hand. A' few specimens of rock containing traces of gold were brought back to Capetown.