SCHOONER’S CREW ON SHORT RATIONS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17880, 23 June 1926, Page 10

SCHOONER’S CREW ON SHORT RATIONS.

HAVE TRYING TIME WHEN BECALMED. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND. June 22. The little schooner Resolution, built by the people of Norfolk Island to enable them to place their fruit on the Auckland market, has already had an interesting, although brief, career. After a voyage of thirteen days, the crew of nine most of the time on reduced rations, the Resolution was towed into Auckland harbour on Monday night and berthed at Princes wharf this morning to unload about fifty tons of oranges, bananas and kumaras. When last in Auckland an oil engine was installed, and the vessel left, after her trials, on May 28. On the first day out it was found that the engine had moved slightly, and this put the engine out of action for the remainder qf the trip. When three days out the schooner was caught in a cyclone and received a severe buffeting, which she ram? through remarkably well. Norfolk Island was reached on June 4. and a warm welcome was given by the islanders, many of whom had seen the vessel built at Emily Bar last year.

The return journey was commenced after a stay of five days, but the ship was becalmed off the island for three davs before meeting favourable winds, which carried her to Cape Brett. About five days after leaving it was found that provisions were giving out, and the crew was placed on short rations. The position became acute, and rations were shortened daily until, on arriving off Tiri Island, there was only about two pounds of bully beef and a little flour left in the gallety there being no milk or biscuits. The lifeboat rations had been eaten, as well as all emergency supplies. Temporary supplies were obtained from the scow Jane Gifford, which was hailed as she passed. 'The schooner was then towed to port by a launch, as the wind had fallen completely.