LAND OF DESOLATION.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13989, 26 August 1909, Page 6

LAND OF DESOLATION.

; A CIIUISE TO KERGUELEiY. At fairly distant intervals sea-ele-phants and seals, which, abound in plenty on Kerguelen Island, have their peace rudely disturbed by bands of adventrous hunters, who, voyaging to that lonely spot from different parts of the world, carry away from the island in their vessels, valuable cargoes of oil, as weli as other trophies of their visit. ' Un a recent afternoon the fore-and-aft schooner Jean Baptiste Charcot, which is of French nationaltv, entered Port Phillip Heads from Kerguelen Island. This vessel, whose arrival had been anticipated for some little time, is of small dimensions, her burden being only 46 tons. She is' therefore probably the smallest craft that has ever made the voyage to Kerguelenu Island. She arrived off "Williamstown in the evening: The visiting schooner, which is only 60ft in length, bore unmistakable traces of rough usage, and Captain du Batv, who is in charge, had a woeful story to tell of the experience of the vessel since Reaving Kerguclan Island 44 days ago. . The captain explained that the little vessel had been buffeted about alarmingly in continuous fierce, gales, her decks being swept by such heavy seas that fears were entertained for her safety. Both her boats were smashed to atoms. The cabin was flooded, whilst six sheep, two pigs, and a dog were washed overboard and not again seen. Sea-elepliant oii, of which the schooner had 140 barrels, was poured Upon the waves to quell them, and this expedient greatly minimised the severity of the seas. I would not for my weight in gold go through it again," expressed the captain on the connection of bis story. Tho schooner made a stay of 15 months at the island, having gone there from Boulongp. Whilst she lay there several whaling steamers arrived and secured good catches of whales, nine being taken in two days. Captain du Batv's pnrtv devoted their attention to seaelephant hunting and exploration works. They found tho island overrun with rabbits, the offspring of several pairs which were let loose there in 1874 liy tlie crew of a British warship. There were also myriads of mice, but not a rat was seen. Over 800 'Sea-ele-phants were killed by the party, but they failed to discover any fur seals on the. island. Captain du Baty made a complete examination of the island, noting the various safe harbours and anchorages, besides obtaining much information. of nautical value. A number of errors on the chart (some being over a mile) as to tho position of cerI tain capes were rectified; whilst the existence of several hithei'to unknown reefs was also ascertained. It was observed that largo schoals of whales visited the waters surrounding the island. Captain du Baty has some fame as an explorer, having taken part in tho first attempt made by Dr Charcot to reach the South Pole in 1905-7. The sea-elephant oil brought by the schooner will bo offered for sale here, as will also the vessel herself. Kerguelen Island, which is more familiarly known among seafarers as "land of desolation," lies from 200 to 300 miles south of the regular track of steamers coming from the meridian of the Cape of Good Hone to Australia, its approximate position being lat. 50 deg. south, and long. 70deg. east. The island belongs to France, having been discovered bv the French navigator from whom 'it takes its name about the year 1772. It is uninhabited, but not long ago a project was freely discussed iri France. Splendid seams ol coal arc said to have been discovered on the island, whilst small specimens ot gold were .also obtained by the crew of the Carmen during her sojourn there. A provision depot for the use of castaways is constructed on the island.