VOYAGE IN SAMPAN.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LII, Issue 17008, 15 April 1926, Page 8

VOYAGE IN SAMPAN.

WRECKED GN AUSTRALIAN Uf LAST. St'ME STRENUOUS TIMES. (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.l BRISBANE, Apii.l 14. Rigged with a flour bag sail, and patched! with hoards of kerosene cases, a sampan with four men, who said they voyaged from China, was wrecked on a beach on the far north coast while endeavoring to make ( ooktown. - Two of the party, Boynton and Clements, set off to walk through the bush to the township of Coen, on York Peninsula, on April 5. The country through which they passed was so rough that their feet were soon bleeding and: the grass was higher than the men’s heads. Walking was agonising and they were compelled ir make canvas covering for their feel, hut it onlv lasted an hour or two.

Provisions ran out and the men wore fed by .aboriginals, wlio also undertook to guide them to Coen. On April 8. Pqynton collapsed and while Clem cuts was attending him the guides decamped. While searching for water Clements had a had fall.

On April 10, both were very ill and starving. A party of blacks came across them and took them to ilie ramp of a Irishman named Dodds. Later, however, Dod'ds. who was very ill, died. On the following day, Clements took, two of Dodds’ horses and leaving Pevnfoii lo mind the camp, rode to Coen, arriving yesterday, from where assistance was sent immediately lo I’ovniou.