On Desert Islands.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 24 April 1914, Page 2

On Desert Islands.

CASTAWAYS LIVE ON PENGUINS

AND SEALS

News has been received in North Shields from Capetown of tha shipwrecked members of a local sealing- expedition spending six .months on desert islands on the fringe of the Atlantic icefield near Prince Edward island before l>eing rescued by a vessel that had gone in search of them. The schooner Sea Bird, which left the 'ryne last year, struck some rocks off Prince Edward Island on October 22 in bad weather and the crew of 22 had barely time to provision a boat before the Sea Bird sank. The men reached a desolate, uninhabited island, and there and on another island thirteen miles away they remained until recently, when they were found by a whaling steamer which .was searching for them. During the six months the castaways endured great hardships. They had to eke out their provisions with the flesh of penguins, albatrosses, and seals. Warmth was produced by burning sea-elephant blubber. Two of the crew were, buried on Prince F.dward Island, one being the victim of accident, and I lie other dying of some unknown sickness. The shipwrecked men were becoming despondent and the captain was preparing for a desperate search for help in a 25ft. boat with impro1 Led sails of old tent canvas when relief arrived. The rescued men were landed at Capetown.