Explorer’s anchor found

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33433, 15 January 1974, Page 2

Explorer’s anchor found

IN Z. Press Association) KAITAIA. January 14. Two Waitangi divers, [Messrs K. Tarlton and J. Pettit, have located one of three anchors lost in Doubtless Bay in 1769 by the French explorer, Captain Jean FrancoisMarie de Surville from his vessel, the St Jean Baptiste.

The anchor weighs almost two tons, and is 15ft long by 10ft across the flukes.

The search will be continued today for the two other anchors.

Mr Tarlton found thej anchor after studying the variation in the Magnetic I North since 1769, and placed; the search area about half ai

mile off Brodie’s Creek on Cape Karikari. De Surville anchored in the bay in December, 1769 after passing Captain Cook off North Cape in such heavy j weather that neither saw the' other.

He was well received by the Maoris, and obtained fresh fish and vegetables from them to restore his scurvy-ridden crew to health. While a boatload of sick men was ashore, a strong northeast gale caused the ship to drag her anchors, one cable breaking and the other two being cut as the St Jean Baptiste approached within a few yards of a reef. De Surville got the ship clear by excellent seamanship, and next day picked up his stranded men.

On December 31, 1769, he landed to retrieve a dinghy which had broken loose, but found that the Maoris had hidden it in the swamps. He U

dost his temper and kidnapped a chief, destroyed a canoe and some huts, and took a ' war canoe back to his ship. It [was discovered that the captured Maori was a chief who had befriended and helped stranded French, but de Surville, who was reduced to one anchor, decided it was unsafe; to stay on such a stormy coast, and carried him off. The chief. Ranginui, died at Juan Fernandez Island, prob-i ably from dysentery. De Surville was drowned on the: coast of South America when; trying to land through surf: to bring help to his crew, who were again suffering from| scurvy. The ship was detained: by the Spaniards. Mr Tarlton will leave the[ anchor on the sea bottomi until methods of treatment; can be prepared, as after: two centuries of immersion in salt water, chemical; changes will have taken place.