Castaways on Auckland Islands.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7824, 17 May 1905, Page 2

Castaways on Auckland Islands.

WRECK OF A FRENCH 11ARQUE. (Per Press Association.) DUNEDIN, May 16. The Government steamer Hiuemoa arrived at Fort Chalmers to-day from her Southern Islands trip. At 2.20 on Sunday, the 7'tjh inst., the Hineiuoa picked up at Carnley Harbour, Auckland Islands, the captain and twenty-one of the crew of the French iron barque Anjou, from Nantes. She had on board 2700 tons of wheat, and was bound from Sydney to Falmouth. She left Sydney on Stmduy, Jan. 22, uud wus l wrecked at Cape Briscow, Auckland Islands, on Sunday, Feb. 5. All hands were, saved. On the Hincmoa's arrival at Norman's Inlet, was found n message, written in charcoal on therafters of the depot, giving information that the cust-nwoys would be found at Caaip Cove. IV appears the crew took to the boats the morning after the wreck and arrived at Carnley Harbour at about live o'clock. The crew stayed there for three months till rescued by the Hinemoa, They lived on sholMish, sea-birds, a lew seals, etc. No ilsh were t<r be found. The ship's paj»crs were saved, but the crew had not got much clothes on at the time of the wreck, 'llhcy speak very highly of tho provision uisjde by tho New Zealand Government for They were despondent, but in good* health nil the time. They were naturally overjoyed at the'ir rescue. The ship struck nt 8..H0 p.m., und the hands remained on deck washed by sens all night. Tho captain's name is l.e Talles. The cast-awuys had bad weather all the three months' of their stay on the island. They slept in the llovernment depot. All the ground is of „ peaty character, sodden, from continuous wet, making, the surroundings very miserable, The only fine day experienced was Monday, Bth inst., when the Hinemoa continued her 'usual South trip. The men camped at the place where tho Conipadres crew had stayed. They did not expect to live for more than a few weeks, so desolate was the place. After a few days they struck tho Government depot, where they obtained provisions, clothing, bluiikcU', etc. When leaving the ship the biggest boat had been well provisioned with pork, biscuits and water, but immediately sunk on being launched. The men wanted to take to the boats ul once, but the Captain pointed out the fully of this, and with great difficulty prevailed on them to wait for daylight, whon the other boats were got out, und proceeded coastwise to Carnley Harbour. All arrived safely, but exhausted, und all were soaked through being only partially dressed, That night was s|>ont lying on the wet shore without lire or food, except raw mussels. Captain Bollons. his officers „nd crew arc of opinion that the Anjou s crew were fortunate beyond all possibility of cxiwctation on account of tho nature of the coast. Hie casl-awuvs show signs of exposure und hardships, all being very ■ ail, no doubt owing to the execssno wet and want of sun. Thev suffered from dysentery for tho ' first week. Nothing ,'„ known as to in- ""' ?."» vessel struck tto rocks « Ih her j.bboom ; the bow hangs on while the stern lies in deep wW and directly the seas get into the hold the probability is lna t she will slip off into many fattl If water. Jno spanker boom was „ll as it followed the course of the bout.

Later. The ofl'cers and crew of the Anlou co m ~nsed Captain be Cnlhc II A (s cond), and nineteen men i'lic tirst night of iundin K thev had o.lie out all night i„ the pitS 'am When diy broke they inud B „ search and found the boat house at Camp Cove, where they found temporary .shelter. They caught an albatross and cooked it in an empty ti„ Ihey lived on albatross, snugs,' ami mussels. 'lhcy attempted lo got back to where the ship struck, i, m were prevented by the rough ucaihu. Alter being in Camp Cove nine days, they found the (Jovernmom d«pot, and obtained biscoiu, tea, etc Hie conduct of the- crew on the island was; excellent. They were .cheerful and obedient, and uiade the best of everything. Amongst those on board the Illnomon were the Misses Mills, daughters of the MJnislur for Customs, anil they did everything possible for the crew. On reaching Port Chalmers they were met by .Mr John Mills, acting for the French \ iceConsul, and supplied with nioituv for comforts. The Vice-Consul han coin. municated with th,. Consul in Auckland as to tin. ttisposnl of the crew. Tho ollteor.s and men remained on board the Uinemon to-night. The.t are again unfortunato in the wvalli•'r, as rain set in about ."> o'clock, and came down very honvilv.

(Per l'ress Association. 1 W'KLLIXHTOX. Slay |((. This afternoon the Marine 'l'cjmrlment* iiTi'hwl n telegi'm.i from l'.a\>tnin llolloiik, of the (jovrrunient steamer llmeinoa, which arrived ni 1 Tort Chalmers from the Southern Islands, a* follows :—••picked up the crew of the French barque 'Aniou,' which was wrecked on the west coast of the Auckland Island* on the nth of February, when bound from Sydney to Falmouth, wheat-laden. All hands were saved, twenty-two in number." The Anjuu was 11 steel burtiuo of 20(59 tons gross register, and Was built at Nantes In IHHU. She was owned by Jl. Unoul (iuillolt, of Xante*. Her principal dimensions were : Length 2««.5 feet, beam 80 feet, depth 22.5 feet.