MODERN CRUSOES

Hokitika Guardian, 24 June 1933, Page 6

MODERN CRUSOES

STRANDED ON DESERT ISLAND CLAIM AGAINST FRENCH COMPA NY .. 'v'-,. PARIS, June.ls. ; The extraordinary case of four Rohr in.con Crusoe's, the survivors of eight men who were stranded , on a desert "island in the Indian Ocerfn, will bo /heard in a Pffris law court next week, iThey\ are claiming damages from the company said to be responsible for all their hardships, arid their case has been taken up by M. Campinchi, one of the most eminent French barristers.

In 1929 a French company decided to establish a lobster pinning station in the desolate volcanic island of St. Paul in tlie Indian Ocean. A few men who had been engaged -in the trade before had found the climate and living conditions on the completely barren island so unbearable that they had left. But in 1929 30 men, mostly Breton sailors, settled on the - island. ■ For many months nothing was heard of them. It was rumoured that a volcanic eruption had destroyed the island, lTut this was untrue, and when •an English steamer, the Euripides, call'ed at tlie island early in 1930 it found all the men alive, though short of provisions. The Euripides left then'some food. But two months later a part of the pinning plant and most of the food supplies were destroyed by fire. Tbe Bretons were so discouraged that [.when the next ship c-alled, most of ■them decided to leave. Only eight men—seven Frenchmen and one negro .—remained on the island to look after the plant. The next steamer was due-to call at. St. Pauls in September. But the months went past and there was no sign of a ship. - By October, nearly ’all the supplies had come to an end. They carefully rationed; the last remnant's of food, still hoping to be rescued before it was too late/but the days went bv and no steamer'caipe. In the terrible summer heat, without food, the men grew fainter and weaker. The first to die .of exhaustion was the negro, then three of the Breton sailors died, The others were too exhausted even to bury them* At last, in December, a ship called at the island. The four men were picked up. They were half dead, and not until several days were they able to tell the story of their terrible ordeal.

Thcy’are now claiming damages from the ‘ company, which they allege had left them to die on the desolate island, ail'd which they hold responsible for the death of their four companions. * •