CUTTER IN A STORM

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19719, 9 December 1926, Page 3

CUTTER IN A STORM

TWELVE DAYS AND NIGHTS PRIVATIONS OF THE CREW The appearance of a 32ft. flying the French flag and exhibiting distress signals sailing up the Johnstone River, Queensland, recehtly, aroused curiosity. The cutter, which is named the Topsy, berthed at East Innisfail wharf, and an interesting story was told by her skipper, T. Enmore, who had with him a crew of four coloured men, dressed in loin cloths only. None of the party could speak English, but through an interpreter it was learned that the cutter was engaged in the guano trade, at New Caledonia. On November 12 the party set out from New Caledonia for Surprise Island, a journey of about 80 miles. During the first night out violent wrp.ther was encountered, and the small vessel wrdt blown off her course. Realising it was almost impossible again to pick up their bearings, it was decided to head west in the hope of striking the Australian coast. Heavy weather and boisterous seas were experienced during the first few days, but the little craft battled bravely against the elements for 12 days and nights, and eventually arrived off the Ausfalian coast in the vicinity of the mouth of the Johnstone River. When the party lef! Now Caledonia they had only a small quantity of food, aboard, and it was necessary to ration this out cautiously. Each member of the party had one small meal and one drink of water only each day. Before reaching Australia the supply of food became exhausted. Fortunately the party come upon a small island, and on landing found a nest of turtle eggs, which comprised their food for the last two days of the journey. On arrival at Innisfail the party appeared to be none the worse for their experience, and were cheerful upon reaching safety. Their first appeal was for tobacco, which was supplied to them, as well as a quantity of food, vhieh thev ate readily. /