SHIPWRECKED ON PITCAIRN

Press, Volume LXXX, Issue 24366, 19 September 1944, Page 4

SHIPWRECKED ON PITCAIRN

Swiss Family Brought To Wellington YAWL LOST IN BOUNTY BAY (P.A.) WELLINGTON, September 18. Shipwrecked on Pitcairn Island during a scheduled voyage'from Tahiti to South America in the 25-ton yawl Trondhjem, -Mr and Mrs Jacques Markwalder, with their five-year-old son and a Persian cat, have found a temporary home in Wellington. They are Swiss, speaking fluent French but little English. They told their story to-day. After nearly six years in Tahiti, they had had enough of South Sea Island glamour. "For a holiday, good; but no more the humidity. Poof,” said Mrs Markwalder, with an expressive gesture. They then faced two wartime problems—where to go and how to get there. Travel by ordinary means was impossible. When they saw the yawl Trondhjem, one of their problems was solved. Mr Markwalder. had already inspected the boat at Gibraltar in 1938, when it was being equipr ped for a round the world cruise. He knew it for a sound craft. That it should -turn up in Tahiti was fate. He promptly bought it. South America was the obvious choice of destination for neutrals. ’

The long voyage held no fears for them. Mr Markwalder was already an experienced yachtsman, having spent much time sailing round the coast of Spain and Portugal in his five-ton vessel. He still owns it, and the last time he saw it it lay at Algiers. He wonders if he will ever see it agairi. The family began a leisurely voyage with a six months’ cruise of the Pacific Islands, reaching Pitcairn on July ID. A rough sea was running, and Mr Markwalder anchored outside Bounty Bay, sending his wife and son ashore with the islanders. Anchor Chain Parts During the night the wind increased in strength, and eventually the anchor chain parted, having first damaged the fore part of the vessel. With some of the islanders assisting, Mr Markwalder took the Trondhjem further out to sea away from the rocks. Throughout the following night they struggled with a bad leak. With the pump going all the time, there was no sleep for anyone on board. The next day there appeared to be nothing for it but to run the ship ashore and hope for the best. If it struck a patch of soft sand, and fine weather followed, it might be possible to make repairs. Unfortunately, there was a language difficulty. Where Mr Markwalder understood the islanders to say there was sand there were, in fact, rocks. The Trondhjem struck them, heeled over on its side, and within two days was battered to pieces. It was at the same place 154 years ago that the famous ship Bounty met its end.

From the wreck the Markwalders saved few of their possessions, but among them were their cat and dog. The next ship that called at Pitcairn brought the family to New Zealand, and the Swiss Consul was able to arrange a temporary refuge for them here.