A Dreadful Experience.
A FRENCHWOMAN'S PLUCKY RESCUE. Sydney, August 17. Noumea files contain a story of the remarkable bravery displayed by a woman. A short distance from the New Caledonian coast lies Bailly Island, the sole inhabitants of which for some time have been M. Ronel and his wife and children, with two men servants. Oil the 19th July, M. Ronel and the two servants left in a cutter to bring stores from the mainland. In returning, and when in sight of home, the boat was capsized, and all were drowned within sight of Madame Ronel and the children. Madame Ronel's stock of provisions was exhausted and her condition rendered desperate. For eleven days she kept signal fires burning to attract assistance. No one came, and as a last resource she had to launch a table, on which, taking advantage of a favoring current, she drifted ashore to the mainland, which she reached at a point 20 miles from Noumea. She walked to town and told her pitiful story, and a boat was despatched and rescued the children, who were almost exhausted with starvation. The Acting-Governor was sent for and applauded Madame's self-sacrifice, and the residents subscribed a testimonial in recognition of her bravery.
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Bibliographic details
Hastings Standard, Issue 98, 19 August 1896, Page 4
Word Count
204A Dreadful Experience. Hastings Standard, Issue 98, 19 August 1896, Page 4
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