The Press. MONDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1907. A THRILLING TALE OF THE SEA.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 12976, 2 December 1907, Page 6

The Press. MONDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1907. A THRILLING TALE OF THE SEA.

The scientific expedition to the Southern Islands, whose operations have excited so much attention, returned to tho Bluff on Saturday, bringing with them tho survivors of a human tragedy whose details will entirely eclipse in the public mind, far the time being, tlie more prosaio story of the expedition's scientific work. Tho Auckland Islands have been the scene of more than one shipwreck of thrilling interest, hut tho story of the ship Dundonald, told with graphio fulness in enothor portion of? this journal, will go down to posterity as ono of the most notable chapters in a history full of tragedy and romance. Wo have first tho dramatic incident of tho wreck on tho forbidding, wave>f rotted ooaat of Disappointment Island, tho drowning of the captain, his sixtoon-yoar-old boy, and ten, of the ship's company. Next tho thrilling escape of tho survivors, olimbing from tho maats of tho doomed vessel to an overhanging cliff of-the island. Tha experiences of tho castaways living on mollymawks, se_lfl and roots, building l their primitive shelters and making a skiff of fire-shaped wood and canvas, sewn with homemade needles carved from birds' bones, read like an extract from "Swiss Family Robinßon." Most pathetic is tho etory of the death of the, first mate, who corapjotely lost heart when ho found there was no depot for castaways on the island. Then we havo tho daring passago in the homo-made skiff to tho main island, and tho disappointment nt first experienced when the search for the provision depot known to exist somewhere on tho group, proved unsuccessful. The narrative brightens when wo read of tho Eecond attempt, when the depot was actually found, and tho whole party wero transferred to a spot whore, thanks to the foresight and liberality of the New Zealand Government and people they were able to rest in security and with some degree of comfort, for the steamer which they knew would ultimately como and effect their rescue. Tho joy of tiheir deliverance was none tho less real when it arrived, chastened though it must havo been by that deeply impressivo ceremony when.the body of tho mate who died on Disappointment Island was interred at Port Boss, amid a little company of stormtossed mariners who havo found rest in the same haven.

A story, sad and moving in many of its details, is illuminated with a bright light reflected from the heroism, pluck and endurance on tho part of the survivors." Only those who have seen the southern islands-—grim outliers of New Zealand, set in the midst of a stormy and desolate ocean, lashed with furious gales and rain storms, with skies nearly always heavily overcast, can realise what a struggle it must have been for the unfortunate castaways to keep up their spirits, and th© determination to.make an effort to save their lives. It is not so very long ago since ono shipwrecked 1 crew cast away on tho Auckland Islands, remained for many weeks in the bay whero they first landed, because they had not tho courage to penetrato th© thick vegetation which covers th© islands, although, if they had only known, there was a Government provision depot within a comparatively short distance from whero they camped. Th© daring nnd resourcefulness shown by tho Dundonald's survivors stands out in marked and pleasing contrast.

One, feature of the story there Is— and ova only—which strikes a jarring note. It ia said that the depot uiti-

mately reached by tlie survivor* appeared to have been raided, such luxuries as tea and coffee havinig been taken, and only tinned meat and ships' biscuits being left in the shape of food. It is not tho first time report** have reached us of these stores having been rifled, and if it is true that they have again been robbed, as described, the Government should leave no effort untried to bring tho dastardly criminals to justice. We can scarcely imagine any more heinoas crime than that of stealing supplies left for the succour of shipwrecked mariners, and scarcely any punishment would ho too sever© for such an offence. Meantime we hope the Marino Department will see its way to establish a small depot with a boat on Disappointment Island, where some such provision is evidently wanted. Means for tlie succour of castaways havo been liberally provided in other parts of tho group. There aro three depots on tho principal island with a lifeboat at two of thorn. There is also a lifeboat at Enderby Island, the north-eastern of tho group, another at tho north-west end of Adams Island, tho southern of tho group, and one on Hose Island, immediately south-west of Enderby Island. Tho latest disaster clearly shows that another depot, or at least a boat with full directions as to tho nearest depot, should be established on Disappointment Island. Tho question also again arises whether, for the protection of shipping, a lighthouse should not bo erected at the islands which have proved such a deathtrap to vessels Homeward bound. The cost should not be borno by the Dominion alono, but should bo .shared'by the Commonwealth. Wo believe that New Zealand has previously offered to pay its share of such ft beneficent undertaking, but that Australia declined. Perhaps now that another vessel outward-bound from Sydney has been wrecked on tho group, the proposal, if revived, would meet with a more favourahlo response from the Commonwealth Government.