STARTED FOR DISAPPOINTMENT ISLAND

Otago Witness, Issue 2803, 4 December 1907, Page 34

STARTED FOR DISAPPOINTMENT ISLAND

but were driven out to sea, and had some difficulty in regaining the land. The next day fortunately proved fine, and they were on this occasion able to manage the return journey. When their mates saw them app.-oaohing Disappointment Island they did not recognise them in the glory of their new clothes and new boat. Indeed, they thought them to have been drowned, and consequently they had a douWe delight in seeing them. On the following morning an early start was made fey all for the mainland, which they now reached without difficulty. Half of the party *vere landed where the canvas boats had put ashore. This, indeed, is the .only practicable landing place on the* western coast of Auokland Island, and they were exiremely fortunate in finding it quite by accident. Those who were landed here walked round the north end ( of the island to the depot, whilst the remainder put round in the boat. All arrived there without accident. The mate at once took charge of the stores, which were found to consist only of tinned meat in small quantity and a fairly good supply of biscuits. However, the men were put on rations of six biscuits a day, as they did not know when the Government steamer might call, but they were now living IN COMPARATIVE COMFORT, end when Captain Bollons landed he found everything in good order and ail well cared for. It says muoh for -the officers and men also that this should be so. Their chief wante when discovered were tea and tobacco, neither of which were found at the depot. These were soon supplied them from the steamer. In spite of the hardships they had been through and the scanty supply of food they had been living on, all were looking strong, healthy, and in good condition. As. this was tho case, Captain Boljons thought it , advisable to finish his rounds in tho Hinemoa, and pick them up on the way baok and convey them to the Bluff. The steamer then completed her journey to the outlying islands, and reaohed Port Ross on the return journey on the 27th November. Thence a visit was made to Disappointment Island to get the body of the mate and take it to the CEMETERY AT PORT ROSS, . and also to collect a few things left by *2ie crew there. According to. Cap tain. Bollons the combination of a clear. sky, windless day, and smooth sea is never found in these latitudes, and we were therefore fortunate in getting two of them— a smooth sea and a windless day. It was raining heavily, but this was a minor evil. With a heavy sea or m wind it would have been quite impossible to land. The first thing that struck our attention on landing was the framework of THE FRATJL SKIFF - { in which the first party of tho shipwrecked crew had crossed to the mainland. A wave of pity passed over all present as they viewed this brittle coracle, built of *he rough branches and {wigs of the coastal veronica that grows on these islands. It Beemed impossible that such a fragile construction, which, indeed, almost fell <o pieces when it was lifted, could ever have carried men across the open strait which separated us from the mainland. After clambering up the rocks at the landing we passed through a rookery of mollyhawks. These birds snapped viciously at our legs ts we passed, but did little harm. The dark markings round the eye give a somewhat sinister expression to this handsome bird, which, however, its charaoter scarcely seems to bear out. After clambering up * steep hillside we came at length to the settlement that the survivors of the Dundonald had made. From a short distance it looked not unlike a kaffir kraal, only 'domed roofs covered with heavy tussocks ■were seen. A nearer approach showed that each was provided with a low entrance, through which one passed on. hands and knees. Inside it was dark, but probably warm, and not uncomfortable. The lower part of the shelter had been hollowed out of the peat, a rough roof of veronica branches had been placed over this, and then covered with sods and thatched with tuflsocks. In these rude huts were found

a numDer of bone needles, mats of bird skins and sealskin shoes. It is hoped that some of these, along with the framework of the boat, will be exhibited in the Canterbury Museum shortly. After a long hard journey through the wet tussocks to the. other side of the island the comrades of the mate, Jabez- Peters, BROUGHT HIS BODY BACK over the high hills to the landing place. Then, after a, close examination of the western coast of the mainland, the Hinemoa returned to Erebus Cove, -in Port Ross. In the afternoon the remains of the mate were interred in the little cemetery there, and a cross, with a suitable inscription, was placed over the grave. All will long remember the solemn service conducted by Captain Bollons in the midst of the rata forest, with the mists driving overhead. Three of the party, after a bold and unsuccessful attempt to cross the northern end of the island in the rain and fog, returned just in time to be present at the burial. After the service was over all returned to the ship. Next morning, after visiting various boats and depots- in the neighbourhood of Port Ross, the Hinemoa embarked the shipwrecked crew, and after a fine-weather passage reached the Bluff.