DHEADFUL SUFFERINGS OF A SHIPWRECKED CREW.

Otago Witness, Issue 2203, 21 May 1896, Page 37

DHEADFUL SUFFERINGS OF A SHIPWRECKED CREW.

A story of shipwreck and privation coons from Honolulu by the R.M.S. Mtowera. The American sealing schooner M»ttia T. Dyer, 103 tons, was returning to San Fcnncisoo, her port of registry, when she crashed on to fch© French Frigate ahoals, 420 miles from Honolulu. In eight miuufces fcho schooner was » wreck. The crew (23 all told) escaped in the ba&U, and landed on fche largest point of land — a huge rode covered and encircled by saod. Their idea was to stop there aud save what they could from the ship. But no water could be found. They dug everywhere in the sand, but not a drop came up txoept by the sea, and that was salt. There wai nothing left but to strike out for land. A number of "jjoouifia," or Sufci albatross, were knocked down with sticks, and distributed amougat the boats for food. Tbey had to be eaten raw. The balance of the lardpr consisted of aix cans of fruit to each boat. The weather was f«r, and the boats pulled off together. The captain, mate, and four men wera in the flu.it, six men were in the second, sir in the third, and Bye in the last. Next day the men suffered iudeaoribable hardships. Some were h»lf dreised. The 6Un beat down furiously, blistering their haads, Faces, and feefc. v Towards evening the sea rose and dashed over the boats. This continued for several days, and at last the ship* wreck* d crew reached land. The men landed, tired, hungry^ weak, sore, and wet. All the boats were battered and useless, and were abandoned where the crew* left them.