STRANDED SEAFARERS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 58, 2 December 1907, Page 6

STRANDED SEAFARERS.

The loss of a .fine vessel and twelve seafarers, particulars of which we publish this morning, adds further to the harvest of victims reaped' . by the lonely Aucklands. From the details to hand, it would appear to, be one of those cases of sheer misfortune, against which human skill is unavailing, and this aspect of the tragedy can only win sympathy and ■ deep regret. There is a feature of the disaster, however, which calls for attention, and in connection with which it seems a simple matter to provide a, remedy. The'survivors, having escaped the perils of the sea and reached land, were compelled to spend seven weary months awaiting succour. The hardship of their lot has been mitigated by the discovery of food and clothing humanely stored in the Government depot at the islands, but owing to the infrequent calls of the Government steamers the unfortunate seafarers had no means of escape from their lonely and distressing captivity. It would be unreasonable to suggest that the Government steamers, which have their regular rounds of duty to attend to, should call more frequently at the various islands on the mere possibility of shipwrecked mariners having found refuge there;-but could not the vessels of the Australian Squadron do something iu this direction? Why should not the cruises of the warships include occasional calls at the various groups of islands? This should not interfere with the regular training of the crews or with the periodical combined manoeuvring of the Squadron, and would certainly be turning the vessels of,war to humane and practical use ill times of peace. The suggestion is, at anyrate, worthy of consideration.