PARISIANA CASTAWAYS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14586, 24 January 1911, Page 5

PARISIANA CASTAWAYS.

HARDSHIPS ON THE ISLAND,

AN OLD FOOD. DEPOT.

By Telegraph.—Press Association.—Copyright.

Perth, January 23. Captain Gordon, master of the Parisians, declares that the origin of the fire on that steamer was a mystery.- It '-started amongst' l the -general cargo, including a quantity of resin.

Sufferings during the time the captain's boat was battling with the sea, and the subsequent hardships on the island, caused -the deaths of the fourth engineer (Ban--non) and the fireman Heine. Their remains were buried on the island.

The. castaways found the cache kept by the French Government on St.' Paul Island, 'containing three barrels of biscuits and five barrels of preserved meat and vegetables, but half the biscuits, which were 18 years old, were rotten, and a large proportion of the meat had decayed and was uneatable, while the store containing the provisions was broken down.

■ During- the month's stay on the island a French fishing schooner called, and gave the castaways a quantity of provisions and fishing tackle, which helped to, give variety to the diet, fish, birds, and seals being captured. "

After the death of Bannon and Heine, the 32 men oil ' the island maintained a daily routine,- and kept a strict watch. On Christmas Day and New Year's Day the captain treated all hands to brandy punch, -and on tho latter occasion all mado themselves sick by over-indulgence in- seal steak.

A seaman named Anderson received a charge in the leg from the gun of .the French fishing schooner's mate while hunting rabbits. It was a nasty wound, and the pellets were not extracted till the man reached the Fremantle Hospital.