SAVAGES ADRIFT IN MIDOCEAN.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17666, 19 January 1923, Page 9

SAVAGES ADRIFT IN MIDOCEAN.

H.M.S. VINDICTIVE'S FIND,

The seaplane-carrier, H.M.S. Vindictive, which arrived at Colombo on November 20th, brought an extraordinary story of the discovery of savages adrift in open canoes miles away from laud, in a state of utter exhaustion from thirst. Who these savages were or how they came to be adrift at sea is a mystery. A member of the crew of the Vindictive stated that about 3 p.m. on Sunday, November 12th the vessel, when about thirty hours out of Aden, sighted two small canoes, apparently adrift. The officer on dutv observed what appeared to be a red shirt being waved from one of them, and immediately gave ordors for the Vindictive to be stopped. It was noticed that both canoes, which were being violently tossed about, had occupants in them, who wore making frantic efforts to draw alongside the warship. When they did eventually draw up, the crew of the Vindictive were surprised to see a number of practically naked savages in both canoes in a state of utter exhaustion, and making unintelligible sounds. Finally ono of them pointed to the sea and then down his throat, to enable the sailors to understand their need. Water was hastily brought and handed to them down the gangway, which had been lowered, the men almost knocking each other over in their eagerness to get drink. When they were all satisfied, efforts were made to find out how they came to be adrift bo many miles out, but none of the men was able to talk any language understood by any member of the Vindictive's crew. The captain offered to take them aboard and drop them at the nearest port, but they shook their heads, and the Vindictivo proceeded on her way after replenishing the drinking vessels on the canoes. There is no indication who the men were or •where they came from.