WRECKED ON THE CROZETS.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXI, Issue 8741, 15 February 1907, Page 2

WRECKED O N THE CROZETS.

A Thrilling Story, Press Association.—Copyright, : MELHornKE, February 15. The 'Catherine intended to come direct to Melbourne after completing ills sealing expedition to the Crozets , and A merman Fay,, on the east side of Possession Island. They ymule the ’ of the expeditiouia a nay pojnpletelj sheltered when the winds come from tbo west, but’the waters receive the full strength of: strong easterlies which occasionally spring up suddenly and with the fpjrcc of a gale. I On December -Ith last the Catherine lay ,»t anchor with 100 seal skins in the holds wi-n. without warning, the wind changed ana 5 Ml blast ™ me from .the east. The anchors began to drag E-id the case was soon hopeless. She gradually dritfcc-ft phorewards and eventually struck an uncliartered rock. A tremendous soa was running and thO only chance the crew had for saving their lives was to take to the boats. (J.j. j.tain Eco sent away seven men in the first boat ;'.nd remained with the other six men till thy y.essel was about fp break up. The boats vyiy nearly t ewamupd but as they reached the beach theF thrown h? and almost undamaged. The 7C-ssel_ went to pieces as the crew watened liar yooi the shore. As the wreckage washed up it was secured and subsequently sened useful purposes. , The hut erected afforded shelter ror the shipwrecked men. A portion of the wreckage was used for arewopd. There having been no warning of the disaster time did not permit the vessel’s stores being landed on the island. Some ship’s stores were washed up.. The only tools washed ashore were an axe, a hammer, and .a pair of tongs. With these a rudder was fashioned and fitted to the stern post of a 20ft boat, and the keel was strengthened. Early in January the little craft was ready to sail. Captain Eee, who is unmarried, decided to select only single men, andchose Johansen and Antonsen, two of the most reliable and most experienced men in the crew. They willingly agreed to accompany him on the venturesome expedition to Australia. For nine days the weather was terrible, aud they hardly knew’ whether they were inside or outside ihe boat, as the seas flew over them and kept them drenched to the skin, while the cold w T as intense. When they had covered a thousand miles aud had almost perished, the first and only sail, since they left, was sighted. • They -were seen and in two hours were i taken aboard the Dutch ship and were ] really brought back to life from their < numbed frozen state. The boat is still ] on tho ship. ] The Norwegian Consul has cabled to , Christiania .to have arrangements made j to rescue the men. at the Crozetts and Mr Deakin has wired .to tho Premier of tho Cape asking him to arrange that tho islands he visited. (