SEA STORY.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1773, 11 June 1913, Page 4

SEA STORY.

NEW SOUTH WALES RESIDENT'S DEATH. A ROBINSON CRUSOE. Sydney, May 28. The death of Mr. . .Georgo William Rooke, a pioneer resident of East Goulburn, at the ago of 79 years, has revived a romantic story of the sea, in 'which he played a prominent part. \Ylien a young man tho late Sir. Itookc was a sailor. About fifty .years ago tho iron ship Strathwore, of which ho was ono of the crow, struck the rocks off tho Crozet Islands, and broke in two, 1 sinking in 15 minutes in a violent sea. On a hastily-constructed raft were -18 men, and ono woman. Tho • captain' and all till! officers went down with_ tho ship. Young liooke was in charge of the raft party. After tossing about for seven hours, a landing was with great difficnlty eft'ccted on one oft tho islands. Tho weather was bitterly cold, and the partyhad no provisions iior clothing beyond what they wero wearing. Tho island \tas absolutely barren, and water had to bo obtained by melting snow and icicles. Tho only weapon possessed by tho party was a.knife made of hoop iron. This was held by liooke. Tho only sustenance was afforded by birds. Each man had to kill a certain number daily. The sufterings of the party were so acute that tivo perished, while one went mad, and never recovered his reason. A rough shelter of stones was built, the wing of an immense penguin serving as a door. Vessels occasionally went by, but could not be signalled. Birds became shy, and tho food supply was in danger of giving out. The party were at last in such desperate straits that lots were drawn lo decide who should be killed to bo.eaten. liooke vowed lie would jump into the sea before he would be cut up. A further supply of birds fortunately enal.led the castaways lo avoid resorting to tile desperate expedient, Rooke mad'! for himself a suit, of birdskins, .and was promptly named Robinson Crusoe. After being six months and 22 days on the island, the whaling vessel Young Phoenix hovc'in sight, it being one of her calling depots. The survivors wero rescued, and Rooke's uni'iue suit was exchanged for a suit of ordinary clothes. The sole survivor of the party is now a resident ef Melbourne named Piney. It was the latter who suggested that-the Crozets should be searched for any survivors from the Waratah. After working in the Railway Department, Mr. Rooke took up tho carryiii" trade, and retired about twenty years ago.—Sydney "Herald."