The Suspected French Escapees. TERRIBLE TALE OF SUFFERING.

Te Aroha News, Volume V, Issue 213, 30 July 1887, Page 5

The Suspected French Escapees. TERRIBLE TALE OF SUFFERING.

The statements made by Philip Coondie and Leon Andriottf, the suspected escapees from New Caledonia, disclose a tale of most terrible suffering. They say they shipped as carpenter and cook respectively on the Italian barque Croesyard, at Marseilles for a voyage to New Guinea and back. They reached the New Guinea coast on the evening of May 10 or 12, and anchored there and lowered two boats for the purpose of obtaining firewood and water. Owing to the illtreatment reached from Captain Crorant, or Colodblen, they stole a, small gig and pub to sea with a small store of biscuits, floui and rice, but in the huiry of departure a small keg of water was left behind. Andriottstatesthatthevessel anchored close to a deep inlet, in which several small mcichnntmen Avere anchored, but) Goondie denies this. Thiee days after leaving the boat suddenly struck a reef and was capsized, but they succeeded in righting her and floated off into high water. On the 19th day they struck the Queensland coast, when the boat was smashed on a reef, and they reached the land aided by some of her planking 1 . During the whole voyage the men had not one drop of water to chink, and were reduced to the lowest horrible necessity to alleviate the pangs of thirst. They camped three days and then commenced a 22 days' march along the coast. Some natives gave them food, while others shunted them or followed them for days. Anchiobt was speaied thiough the left aim, buteventually a fiiendly Uibe met them and showed them Claiemont Island lightship, and took them off to it in canoes. They never have been to New Caledonia or imprisoned for crime. The vessel Croesyard was 210 ft. long, and carried a complement of 25 men, witli a general cargo. The story is not believed, as no ve.-.sel has been heard of on the coast, and Mr Holy left only lately. It is believed that the men, after escaping, were caught in heavy south-east; gales, and cliiven north webt. They seem much concerned on bavin c to go to Brisbane to face the French and Italian Consuls.