THE DOUGLAS MAWSON

Otago Witness, Issue 3672, 29 July 1924, Page 21

THE DOUGLAS MAWSON

FATE OF THE CREW. MELBOURNE, July 20. Tha reports received by the Federal authorities give some confirmation of the Douglas Mawson story. Dr Wade, the leader of a mining party which was recently exploring in the vicinity of the alleged murders, informed the Administrator that at three places on the coast he heard from the blacks of the wreck of a big ship, the massacre of the men, and the kidnapping of two women. In view of this, strong parties are being sent out both by sea and land to investigate and search for the women alleged to be held captive by the natives. The natives of the district are alleged to be wild and savage, and even cannibals. At various times in recent years it is stated thev murdered the crews of fishing boats, looted vessels, and attacked and murdered other whites visiting the district. Others who are well acquainted with the district and the blacks and their habits are inclined to discredit the story. They point out that the Douglas Mawson was wrecked in March, 1923, and since then a number of ships have visited the vicinity and have been in communication with the blacks. If the story is true it must have leaked out long before this, particularly through the missionary station on the adjoining island, which is in constant touch with the blacks, yet the missionaries have never heard anything to confirm the story. It is also said that the natives are not as savage as they have been represented to be. The crew of the Douglas Mawson consisted of 13 men. Mr and Mrs Willett and their five children were passengers. It is thought probable that tho other woman mentioned was the stewardess. AN ORGANISED EXPEDITION. MELBOURNE, July 21. The scene of the reported tragedy is a peninsula on the western side of the head of tlve Gulf of Carpentaria. The country is exceedingly rough and practically a terra incognita. No living white man appears to have crossed it, and no local native knowledge is available. The search party is to consist of the police and experienced bushmen, who are being asked to volunteer. They will be armed and

prepared for eventualities, as it is regarded as possible that they may have to deal with hostile and savage natives; but extreme measures will be taken only in an emergency. The party is expected to leave Darwin in about a week. The Mawson expedition, which will be commanded by Colonel Storey, will proceed by sea from Darwin to Booroolola It will be fully armed, as fighting with the natives is anticipated. the story discredited. DARWIN, July 2. Experienced nautical men, disbelieving the story regarding the Douglas Mawson, declare that conclusive proof has been secured that the vessel was wrecked 400 miles from the point where natives are reported to have murdered some of the crew. They claim that neither the vessel nor the crew could have reached such a position in ’ the violent cyclonic storm which raged at the time of the wreck. They also point out that there are three missions' and a police station within a 200-mile radius of the scene of the alleged tragedy, and the missionaries could not fail to have heard something long since. SEA EXPEDITION ORGANISED. MELBOURNE, July 21. According to further advice from the Administrator of the Northern Territory, it has been found impracticable to send an expeditionary force overland in an attempt to rescue the women who are alleged to be survivors from the Douglas Mawson. A sea expedition is being organised, and will sail in the schooner Huddersfield. The territory to be searched is probably the least-known part of the whole Continent. The aborigines are far from the Roper Island mission, and have come little into contact with the whites, and they are naturally hostile to strangers.

The enmity may be increased by unfortunate experiences with Malay trepang fishers, who have paid flying visits to their coasts. PRECIPITANCY MAY CAUSE TRAGEDY. MELBOURNE, July 23. Mr Robert MacDonald, Protector ot Aborigines at Darwin, and formerly Protector of Aborigines in Bowen Straits, has suggested to the Government that Jie should be sent to precede the Douglas Mawson search party to try and negotiate with the blacks respecting the alleged holding of the two women survivors, and thus avert a tragedy which tactless methods might bring about. NAVAL SEARCH SUGGESTED. BRISBANE, July 24. Mr John Burke, managing director of Messrs John Burke and Co., the charterers of the Douglas Mawson, stated that the vessel was loaded with wool and empty casks. She was sheathed with pine. The Douglas Mawson, he considers, would have been hard to sink. He believes that the vessel may have drifted ashore on the territory on the coast of the Gulf of Carpentaria, and he considers that the Navy Department should send a vessel to investigate. He says that Captain Tune was a good seaman, and he may have run before the etorm, and reached the western coast of the gulf. In that case, the story told by the blacks might be true. A naval search would decide this point definitely. AN ARMED EXPEDITION. MELBOURNE, July 23. The expedition for the relief of the Mawson survivors will leave Darwin on Monday next bv the trading steamer Huddersfield. It will consist of 20 men armed with rifles and revolvers. Horses will also be taken for scouting work.