THE CROZET ISLANDS.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2400, 25 November 1880, Page 2

THE CROZET ISLANDS.

The Admiralty have issued a report of the recent visit of H.A1.8. Connis to the Crozet Islands for the purpose of relieving shipwrecked crews, and of surveying lids hitherto little-known group in theJSouth IndianiOccan. The Comus, under (ho command of Captain J. X. East, ,R. A'., arrived at the group on the 4rd March last, and found (hem to consist of six islands. A landing was first effected on Hog Island. The summit of this island is always covered with snow. It is 3000 feet high, and has a number of small peaks, (lie western side being precipitous, and the eastern side sloping down to (he sea. Landing is difficult at most times, and can only be effected from (lie northeast point of the island. Careful oh serrations of the position of the island placed it 1:1 miles north-west of the position originally on the authority ol: Lieutenant Fournier, of the French 2savy, in I'SoS— viz., in latitude 4(3.(h 20 8., longtitmle 50.1(3.5 E. About half a mile north of the landing-place mentioned, (he Conius anchored in 12 fathoms water and found good holdingground. the anchorage moreover being said to be a safe one in all prevailing winds. Provisions for the use of shipwrecked persons were landed, and a depot was formed in a cove. Hog Island is reported to be swarming with sea elephants, seals, rabbits, duck, teal, alabatross. penguin, and other birds. To shipwrecked people the skin of the sea elephant would form a good covering; and the tongues, fins, and kidneys of these enormous animals arc excellent food. Fresh water is abundant. Hog Island is seldom visited ; there were no signs of any people having been there since the pilot of of the Comus, a man named Penjamiu Aliller, left the place 10 years before. Apostles Islands are two in number, with several outlying pinnacle rocks. The north-east island is the larger, and is about 350 feet high in its north-east point. There are one or two spots where landing can he effected with dillieulty, when the water is smooth It was on these islands that the wreck of the Strathmore took place on the Ist Inly, 1875, when the survivors of the passengers and crew, 44 in number, landed on the north east island, and remained, enduring great privations, until the 21st of January, 1875, when they were rescued by an American whaler. All the Strathmore's boats were lost after the landing cm the island had been made, and the imhappy survivors of the wreck were consequently unable to leave their prison and take advantageof the more extended resourses of the neighboring islands. At the visit of the Comus, the cairn built by the Strathmore’s survivors was plainly risible. Penguin Island is about 22 miics south by west of Hog Island. It is about 1000 feet high, has a barren and volcanic appearance, and is quite inaccessible'. I hero is a rock about 250 feet high off its north-east point, appearing as though it had been cut oil; from tile island. Possession Island I

another of the group, is a more hospitable refuge in case of shipwreck. There are good anchorages and apparenilycasy landing. A depot of provisions was formed for the use of shipwrecked persons,being placed in sheltered lints in the south-east corner of American Bay, about 100 yards from the shore. The remains of several huts by whalers wore found in American Bay, but these fisheries have been abandoned, and no one had apparently landed during a period of some years. The beaches swarmed with sea elephants, a lew ducks were shot, and guinea fowls were seen. East, Island is about ‘IOOO ft. high, and always covered with snow. The shores are steep and numerous waterfalls, some of considerable volume, fall over the clilfs into the sea. Ruined whalers’ huts were visible on this island. In concluding Ids report, Captain East recommends that in the event of shipwreck in the vicinity of these islands, the boats should immediately make either for the cast sides of Hog, or Possession Island, or for the north side of East Island, where they may find landing and plenty of food.