THE KANAHOOKA CASUALTY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXV, Issue 40, 15 February 1894, Page 5

THE KANAHOOKA CASUALTY.

DISCOVERY OF THE MISSING MEN-

ARRIVAL AT THURSDAY ISLAND.

TERRIBLE SUFFERINGS.

, Thursday Island, Thursday. The .lugger Marie, in charge of William Dammkobier, returned this morning from Batavia River after a most perilous trip, the vessel most of the time working only under a jib, with fierce N.VV. squalls raging all- night. She brings eight survivors of, 4he Kanahooka from the Batavia mission. They report that they left the Kanahooka in an open boat, ISft long, with only two oari aa the means of propelling ib. They drifted for two nights and a day before the wind and sea, when they struck the coast about midway between Duyphen Point and Pera Head. The boat capsiznd nearly a mile from the shore, but the sea and wind drifted her ashore. Two of the men, Morrison and Moran, were unable to swim, but got ashore safe with the assistance of the others. The party then started to walk towards the Batavia Kiver, feeling that it was hopeless to try and pull the boat against tho eea and wind. They could «cc Duyphen Poißt in the distance: They travelled. some mi;e9 towards it, when the route became blocked by dense and impenetrable scrubs. They were compelled to return to the boat, and here found, that the natives had stolen the oars and rowlocks, They had no sails. For several days the party kept traversing from the boat to the ecrub, a distance of nearly 15 miles, in the hope of getting through the scrub. For eight days the men had nothing to eat but occasional eaud crab* and berries. Some of the berries nearly killed them. Then somo natives came up with them, The natives were friendly, but desired tbe survivors to give them their clothing, which they declined tc do, as it was their only protection from the scorch ing sun. The natives then endeavoured to pick quarrels with the men. Shortly after three young men who had been in contact with the mission station and with traders took the park of the survivors, and the natives handed over the oars. They doscribed the ■ mission station as being go many days' walk, with several rivers to swim. From this forward the natives all along proved of great assistance, helping the men all they could, although the natives had no food to give them. Bradley, the chief officer, considered that their survival was duo to the influence of the missionaries with the natives.

When the oars were returned to them the party-started'to pull along the coast, but made little progress in consequence of weaknes and the want of sails, and owing to the head winds and tides; finding it almost) hopelocs to battle against the adverse elements. The men lived on little else but water, while they dug holes and partially buried themselves at night as protection from the cold, mosquitoes, and eandflies. It was arranged that the second engineer1 and the second mate, who were the strongest swimmers in the party, should push on ahead.' This they did, and after severe. trials, swimming the river, dodgtnsraHigat6r», living on raw beche-de-tner; focfeen: apples^ rotten! eocoaniiss arid fresh cocoanuts, which were washed ashore, they reached the mission'station ona Sunday aftorpoon;' One of them bad nothing but a ehirt on, and his1 legs were terribly burnt. Here they were mopb hospitably treated by Mrs Ward, who ministered to their wants. En route they had much assistance from yarious natives. Thomas Smith, a'special constable stationed at the mission, then left With five: natives Stra whale boah in quest of the other men, and found them, but had great difficulty in landing the boat, which was swamped, and the provisions were waehed asbore. The boat was injured so much that it had to be left behind in a creek. Smith and his men then escorted the Kariahooka survivora safe to the mission station.

The survivors state that they felt it bitterly to be 18 daysetarvine without any rescue party being sent from here. They kepb watch night and day, ready to respond to signals from tho sea. They speak gratefully of the blacks and the missionaries, and also of Dammkohler, who declined to leave the Marie's helm for 24 hours, under a blinding wind and rain, during which time tho batch was washed away. All expected the boat would fill and founder. The names of the survivors are—Bradley, chief officer: Priestly, second officer; Archer, second engineer; Stirling, third engineer; Barton, seaman ; M'Phee, seaman ; Morrison, fireman; and Moran, steward. They are all remarkably well considering their experience. Morrison alone goes to the hospital to have his wouada treated. They had not a ninth man in the boat, as was reported.