CAST AWAY ON RAFT

Evening Star, Issue 16626, 8 January 1918, Page 2

CAST AWAY ON RAFT

AIRMEN’S GRIM FIGHT FOR FREEDOM. A swim for freedom across a crocodileinfested river, an equally perilous voyage across the open sea on a frail raft, and a three days’ fast were among the adventures which bcfel a couple of intrepid British aviators who found themselves stranded in East Africa. Tho heroes of thus amazing exploit were Flight-common-der Edwin Roland Moon. D.5.0., and Commander Bridgman. Tho former, who was at first reported to be dead, is now a prisoner in the bands of the Germans; but unfortunately Commander Bridgman lust his life in the adventure. It appears from the story of a captured German skipper and from native sources that the scone of the adventures was the delta of tho Rufigi River, and a seaplane carrying Commander Bridgman and Flight commander -Moon was forced to land owing to magnetic failure. Having acsortainod that the damage was not repairable, the two officers proceeded to bum their machine. Moon swam across a stream which swarmed with crocodiles with a view to finding a boat or canoe, but failed in his oiiest. The following day he again crossed the rive) - , but was carried down stream by the ebb tide before ho could land, and hail to force his way back through” tho mangroves. Apart from cccoanuts, tho officers had had nothing to cat or drink since leaving the station.' At nightfall, after much weary marching, they discovered an empty house, and by removing the window frame and roughly fastening planks along one side of it they constructed a raft! They were frequently up to their necks in water, and the only relief they could obtain from millions of mosquitos” was to dio their heads under the surface. Tho cocoa--nut milk, which they carried in bottles, had turned sour hv this time, and by tire evening of the third day both, were"completely exhausted, whilst'Bridgman was almost insensible. ■ln his anxiety to escape, Moon failed to stem tho tide, and the raft was carried out to sea, A strong north-easterly wind increased the difficulties, and the raft became waterlogged. Moon had a terrible task in keeping himself afloat on the raft while supporting Bridgman in his arms in order to keep his head out of tho water; The men spent 13 hours on the raft on the fourth day, and for at least nine hours were on tho open sea. Again and again Bridgman was washed off' tho raft, “but was rescued by_ Moon. Finally Bridgman died, of exhaustion and exposure. Dmlm? the afternoon of the fourth day the tide carried the raft back to within a short distance of the shore, and Moon managed to regain the land. This final struggle to shore was the most arduous of all, arid his face, hands, and feet were almost cut to pieces by tho rocks. A native noticed his plight, and conducted him to Kiomlioni, where two Germans were living. Then -Moon collapsed, and was only able bypointing to his mouth to signify that ho wanted food and water. He soon recovered, and is now quite well. Bridgman’s body was washed ashore a few davs afterwards, and was buried by the Germans.