A TALE OF THE SEA.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8105, 9 May 1906, Page 4

A TALE OF THE SEA.

TWO THOUSAND MILES IN AN OPEN BOAT. STARTLING EXPERIENCES. Afler nearly fourteen months' freedom five escapees from New Caledonia were brought to Sydney by the German steamer Prinz Waldemar from German New Guinea. During that period their experiences have been of a most sensational character. The men sailed in an open boat for about two thousand miles. They had to endure privations on the hazardous voyage, and were once nearly shipwrecked. There were originally six in the party, but owing to the. sixth man obtaining a berth on an American schooner, he had left the German pos-

The six men were employed at the cobalt mines, which are about three days' journey from Noumea, They were working near a beach, and this greatly assisted them to escape. The escapees, it is stated, are ticket-of-leave men, and as such enjoyed a number of privileges. The watch kept on them was not strict. About sixteen months ago the men made up their minds to leave the French colony, and a iit several conferences it was agreed t hal they should construct a boat. There is a large forest in the vicinity of the mines, and in their spare' time the men felled trees, and cut up the timber. When they had sufficient wood the six secretly set about building the little craft which so successfully braved the wiuds and storms during the long voyage. The work occu|ivl some time, but finally they succeeded in making the boat, which was 20ft in length. Steps were then taken to procure enough provisions to last for the long j mruey -altogether a supply sufficient for three months. How the goods were obtained could not be ascertained. It is thought probable that the men stole, the goods from the store, and secreted them in the forest with the boit. A large quantity of bread was roasted until it was biscuit, and a .good supply of water was obtained The pirty afterwards secured a set of sails, and thus everything was ready for the cruise. A favourable opportunity shortly afterwards presented itself, aud the men set sail for British New Guinea. It may be mentione 1 tint, two of the party had a knowledge of navigation.

? THE BUS TO XEW GUINEA. During the voyage to New Guinea favorable weather was met with part of the time. One niglu iimwver, a gale sprang up, accompanied by he ivy seas. The little craft was tossed about like a cork on the ocean, and Hint of the men were kept contiiuiju-l/ baling the water out with their hats and boots for about five hours. The storirf then abated, but the provisions had been spoilt by the salt water. The men were exhausted by their efforts. One suggested that they .should turn back, but the others would not agree. Until within a few days' sail of British New Guinea, the conditions were favorable, and rapid progress was made.

DRIVEN ASIIOBB. Another storm was encountered, and the little boat, with its six occupants, was driven on to the shore of an uninhabited portion of the German possession, the boat being considerably dimaged. Two of the party narrowly escaped losing their lives. They were thrown against a rock, and were being carried ont to sea, but their companions rushed to their assistance. The mon were considerably bruised about the body. Several days elapsed before they recovered from their exciting experience. The other 'four were also suffering from the effects of the voyage. All were sorry they had left New Caledonia, but they quickly recovered their good spirits. A fire was made, and much of the food that had been saved was dried. It was certainly not appetising, but the men were almost famished and ate greedily of the provisions.

| DEPARTURE FBOM SEW GUINEA, Next morning four of the party set to work to repair the boat, with some timber obtained from the forest. This occupied sdme time, and after 25 days it was decided to make a fresh start. The barrels were replenished with water, and then sail was set for New Ireland the most northern of the islands forming the Bismarck Archipelago. This part of the journey occupied over a month. On reaching that island the men tramped for many mile 3, and at last succeeded in securing employment. All proved to be good workmen. ' The escapees told their fellow-workers of their startling experiences, and they even did not disguise the fact that they had escaped from the French colony. In fact, almost everyone in the possession were aware that the men had run away from Caledonia. This went on for some months. The steps that were then taken are not known. It is thourht that the German officials communicated with the French Government on the matter, and that arrangements were not completed until shortly before the departure of the Prinz Waldemar fur Sydney. The authorities in Sydney were then nformed that the escapees would arrive by that steamer, and were iisked to make arrangements to convey them to the police, station. All appear to be middle-aged men. One, a Parisian, when asked why they had taken such a long time on their voyage, said .• — "We were in no hurry; time was no consideration to usi"