ADVENTUROUS VOYAGE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18565, 24 November 1923, Page 12

ADVENTUROUS VOYAGE.

2000 MILES IN 30ft. YAWL.

LONELY ISLAND IN PACIFIC.

NEW ZEALANDER'S REFUGE'.

Three . adventurous travellers arrived in Auckland by the Makura yesterday, after having completed a 2000-mile voyage in a 30ft. yawl, through a little-known : part of the Pacific Ocean. The three visitors were Mr. R. A. Sampson, of the United States; Mr. E. J. Spies, of Tahiti; and Mr. R. D. Frisbie, of Mexico. Their voyage of exploration was undertaken last July in a. real spirit of adventure. The three companions set out from Tahiti in their tiny craft for Fiji. By common accord there was no captain, . all hands sharing equally the responsibilities o'. •(navigation. When it is remembered that the vessel was about the size of a steamer's lifeboat, and that the Pacific is noted for its hurricanes, the trepidity of the explorers will be appreciated. As it was, the craft was hove to for four days off Borabora, in the Society Group, during a terrific hurricane. On another occasion Mr. Frisbie fell overboard in midocean, and was only saved from the sharks by his skill in the water and the rapid manoeuvring qualities of the little boat. Sharks accounted for the loss of two epinners from the vessel's log. A romantic experience befel the three adventurers on reaching the remote is-/ land of Manihiki. north of the Society Islands. This lonely spot in the Pacific had not. been visited by white men for- 12 ears, so the islanders informed them. Manihiki is inhabited by about 400 natives, ruled by a half-caste, who was at one time a cabin boy with the notorious Bully Hayes. He was known to the natives as " Governor " Williams.

A solitary white man was discovered on the island, on which he had been for 36 years, perfectly content with his lot. He "had long been disgusted with civilisation, he told the visitors, and had no desire to go back to old associations. His name was Frank Gelling, and he was born in New Zealand.

During the two weeks the three men remained on the island, the natives went on holiday. All work was suspended, and every effort directed to making the visit of the white men a memorable one. Feasts and dances were the order of the day, while countless presents in the form of baskets, mats, fans, chickens, eggs, and cocoanuts were lavished upon the visitors.

Twelve islands in all were visited by the little vessel. At Samoa, the three adventurers were visited on board by Major-General G. S. Richardson, the Administrator, who afterwards invited them to tea at his residence. At Suva, the crew was entertained by the Governor, Sir Cecil Rod well.

It had been intended to proceed thence to the Solomons, but the approach of the hurricane season led to abandonment of the voyage. The little craft was sold to a Fijian chief, and the crew joined the Makura for Auckland. It is . their intention to return to Tahiti by the Maunganui, which leaves Wellington on Tuesday. They hope later to make a similar voyage to the Marshall and Glibert Islands. *