CREW ALMOST STARVING

Taranaki Daily News, 7 November 1930, Page 6

CREW ALMOST STARVING

EXPERIENCE OF BARRDALE SHIP DRIFTS AT OCEAN ISLAND. WAITING TO LOAD PHOSPHATES. (By Wire —Special to News.)' Auckland, Last Night. Short of provisions and suffering sickness, the crew of the steamer Barrdale had an unenviable experience while drifting round Ocean Island waiting to load phosphates for Auckland and New Plymouth. The crew of the vessel, which reached Auckland to-day, asserted that they had been just about starved to death. It is over three months since the Barrdale bunkered at Newcastle and sailed for Ocean Island. Stormy southerly and south-westerly weather prevailed and when the vessel arrived at the island she could not commence loading. Continued bad weather kept her drifting about for a week while her provisions were being steadily depleted.. Even the stock of tobacco and matches was exhausted. Blame could not be attached to tho ship’s cook, who bluntly informed the crew that he was “ ’art broke” trying to provide an edible meal. He took to fishing, but the crew did not relish ihtk steaks of hammerhead shark, and macaroni had to .be resorted to for breakfast, dinner and tea. Fever was raging on Ocean Island and some of the crew of the vessel contracted it. Others developed sores and the pessimists had started tb talk about scurvy when tho Norwegian steamer June arrived at the island. The crew of the Barrdale went aboard to barter for tobacco and food but did not get much.

Bound fpr New Zealand with her cargo loaded the Barrdale was a happier ship. When she tied up at the King’s wharf this morning the crew did not wait to put on shore-going clothes before they headed up Queen Street to satisfy the inner man.