THE FRENCH CASTAWAYS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2193, 18 May 1908, Page 2

THE FRENCH CASTAWAYS.

INTERVIEW WITH THE CAPTAIN INCORRECT SURVEYS CAUSED DISASTER. Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, Dlay 17. Dir. G. Humphreys, French consular agent in Christchurch, went to Lyttelton this morningfand hadlaniwtervjew on hoard H.M.S. Pegasus with Captain A. Noel, late master 0 f the President Felix Faure. Last night Dir. Humphreys despatched a telegram to the French Consul for CS’ew Zealand at Auckland, and a cablegram to the ship owners, Messrs Kdcoiblett and Co., of Havre, advising them of the wreck of tlie barque and of the arrival in Lyttelton of the castaways.

Comaumder Quayle and tho officers of the Pegasus invited Captain Noel and his officers to stay on hoard the warship until arrangements arc definitely completed for their return to France, and. this kind offer has been gracefuly accepted by Captain Noel. The crew will be put up at various places in Lyttelton. Dfr Huriiplireys, who was accompanied by M. Malequin, of Christchurch, who interpreted, had a conversation with Captain Noel, who expressed the desire that he and his crew should proceed to Sydney as soon as possible, in order to connect with the French mail boat there for France. Dir Humphreys is awaiting a reply from tho French Consul at Auckland, but it Ls probable that Captain Noel and his men will leave Lyttelton by tlie Dlaitai on Thursday next, for Sydney. Captain Noel informed a reporter that he had made eight voyages from New Caledonia to France with nickle ore, and had also mado several visits to Newcastle. Last year he loaded the nickle ore at New Caledonia in the President Felix Faure, and made a fast passage of 93 days home to Havre. On that occasion and on previous passages he stated that after leaving New Caledonia he passed to the northward of New Zealand on liis way to Cape Horn. After leaving in February last, he attempted to make the same course, but was unable to do so owing to adverse winds, and finally he had to steer a course to pass to the southward of New Zealand. He attributed tho disaster to the thick foggy weather, and to the fact Afiat his chart of the southern ocean only showed one island at the Antipodes, and to the incorrect surveys of that island. . Captain Noel has sustained heavy personal loss, including a sum of £2OO which he had on him at the time of the wreck.

It is understood that an inquiryinfo the circumstances concerning the wreck of the vessel will he held by the French Consul-General at Sydney.