THE “ FELIX FAURE ” CASTAWAYS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 397, 13 June 1908, Page 3

THE “ FELIX FAURE ” CASTAWAYS.

An Indignant Skipper. Allegations Denied. Sydney, Thursday. Captain Noel, of the wrecked barque, President Felix Faure, takes strong exception to the comments made as to the condition in which the depot at Antipodes Island was left by his crew. Dealing with the statements of the reporter who accompanied the Hinemoa on her visit to the Island Captain Noel says his own account of the wreck was in no way exaggerated. He declares he left behind eleven large tins of beef brought from his own ship and nine small tins belonging to the depot. The clothing was never used as described. He carefully opened the case and made a distribution, reserving three suits in the event of being compelled to winter on the island. As to the allegation that the cooking utensils were in a filthy condition, he explains that the Pegasus arrived while a meal was in progress, and the shipwrecked men hurried aboard. In the rush they forgot to clean up. It was owing to everything being kept clean that the crew enjoyed such good health. After every meal the vessels were washed in abundance of hot water. Owing to heavy rain aud having to sleep on wet straw the blankets at the depot got very dirty and they were unable to either wash or dry them. Fish was not abundant as alleged, and heavy seas prevented them making decent catches. The matches found in the depot were useless and biscuits weevily.