SUCCORED BY CANNIBALS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 215, 9 March 1912, Page 8

SUCCORED BY CANNIBALS.

WRECKED CREW'S TERRIBLE, EXPERIENCE. The thrilling experiences of thee rew of tlio four-masted barque Puritan, which was abandoned in a sinking condition when a thousand miles from land on a voyage from Australia to San Francisco, have been made known through the arrival in Boston of Captain F. W, Chapman.

Captain Chapman, who still shows the effects of the ordeal, interested many by telling how he and his twenty-four men rowed for twelve days in two lifeboats with only a scanty supply of provisions and water, and how, when they finally landed on a small coral island, they were cared for by the cannibals, who thought them French Government officials,

The barque left Newcastle, Australia, early last summer with a large general cargo for San Francisco. She encountered bad weather, and was carried some distance out of her course. The unfavorable weather continued for several weeks, and the big craft began to lea!:. All hands were called to the pumps, but although the men worked in relays night and day for a week, the water gained on them. Captain Chapman knew it was only a short time before t the barque would founder. He ordered"the lifeboats to be launched with fifteen men in one and ten in the other. Before pushing off," Captain Chapman told the men they were starting on a journey with no direct sailing point in view, and as they knew not how long they would be afloat urged tbern to make their provisions go as far as possible. The lifeboats were soe ramped that the men who were not rowing had to lie under the seats. The sea was rough for several days, and then the tropical sun heat down upon them. Several became, temporarily insane and would have jumped into the ocean if not prevented. On the eleventh day the water gave out. For the last three days each man was allowed but one bis*cuit a day. With the provisions gone, the sailors lost their courage. The sun was so warm that three of the men became unconscious, and a few others were temporarily deranged. On the twelfth day Captain Chapman sighted the small coral island through- his glass. As the two lifeboats grounded on the coral beach a savage band of half-naked natives rushed out and pulled the boat* ashore. The men were too exhausted to move, and the natives brought water and fruit. Captain Chapman said the natives smacked their lips more or less at the sight of so much human flesh, but a little explanation from the sailors led the natives to believe, they wpre not enemies, and they escaped being butchered. The crew of the Puritan became on good terms with the tribe and.were allowed to do as they pleased about the island. After deciding that the place was in the Low Archipelago, Captain Chapman determined that the only way to get away would be to row to Tahiti and have a steamer sent to bring tie men. With several men Captain Chapman started for Tahiti, arriving after a three days' journey. The British steamer Orangi was leaving for Australia, and the captain was asked to pick up the men as he passed! the island. The next day the remainder of the crew were brought aboard the steamer and taken to Australia.