SAVAGES AT A WRECK.

Wanganui Chronicle, Issue 12824, 17 October 1911, Page 2

SAVAGES AT A WRECK.

THRILLING STORY OF THE

FIFESHIRE

LONDON, September 6. Five members of the crew of tho wrecked liner Fifeshire, which went ashore off the coast of Somaliland, told r. thrilling story when they landed at Tilbury yesterday from the P. and O. liner Persia.

Death at the hands of frenzied Somali.-;, or by drowning or starvation were tho alternatives that seemed to face those on board when the Fifeshire rnn on the rocks on the night of August 9

"Most of the passengers were in their bunks and many of them were asleep.''' said' Robert Nixon, steerage steward. "Signals of distress were made and rockets fired, but these brought no assistance. We passed a horrible night; and in the morning, to make matters worse, wo saw that tho shore wr.s lined '.with, savages armed with spears and looking decidedly unfriendly. They made threatening gestures, and altogether made it clear to us that our presence was not desired.

"The shore was only about four hundred yards away, and about twenty of the natives swam out to the ship; Captan Cramer, however, would only allow one of the men to come on board. When tho man got on deck he pointed to those of his party who were on shore and drew his hand across his throat in a significant manner.

"He muttered something the whole time, but wo could not make out a word of it. The mate dressed him in a gold-braided suit and made him presents of tobacco, and with these he swam :ishore.'"

AH ihrough tho day the natives m .itched events on the liner, and after dark it was thought they might attempt t{ surprise tho ship's company. Caref'il watch was kept and guns were discihargec! at intervals.

On tho morning of August 11. tho shin was abandoned, and those on board . —llO altogether—left in four boats for Aden, some •loOmiles away. The third onicer's boat capsized, but the occupants were rescued, and the craft was

lighted. At eleven o'clock at night, those in the third officer's boat sighted rho tight of ti liner, the French steamship Adour. After sixteen hours' searching the Adour picked up two of the other boats, but no trace could be found of the boat containing the second officer and twenty-three other persons.

There were about five. women and two children among those in the-mis-.sing boat. A number of animals, includiup; a kangaroo, four goats, and several donkeys, were on the Fit'eshiio, ii nd were set free bj' the captain before leaving the vessel. The cargo consisted mainly of provisions.