THE ILL-FATED TREVESSA

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXI, Issue 18975, 28 March 1924, Page 7

THE ILL-FATED TREVESSA

A SURVIVOR’S EXPERIENCES. A TALE OF SUFFERING. Tales the sea, of hardship, and of suffering wrought by the ocean are legion; and there is always a glamour and a fascination in the telling of such adventures.’ Each year the sea takes further toll, and one of the most recent vessels to meet its fate was the Hain ■Line steamer Trevessa (3566 tons), which foundered on the morning of June 4, 1923, in the Indian Ocean in latitude 28deg. 45m in. and longitude 85deg. 42min. east, which is about i midway between Fremantle and Capetown. The amazing feature of the Trevessa disaster and which created a world-wide sensation was the survival of the crew after all hope of their recovery had been given up, one boat being picked up at Mauritius after a perilous voyage of 25 days, the second reaching Rodriquez Island after an I equally hazardous passage of 23 days I in the open sea. ! One of the survivors- of the ill-fated i vessel is Mr R. W. Flynn, who is an apprentice on the Jfeln Line steamer Trci rose, which is at present discharging ‘ Canadian cargo at the Birch Street wharf. Although only a young man, Mr Flynn has visited many countries, and is on his second voyage round the world.

Speaking to a Daily Times reporter on Friday morning, Mr Flynn said that he was an apprentice on the Trevessa. It was never known definitely what was the cause of the vessel foundering, but the finding of the nautical inquiry was that she had struck a sunken derelict. “I was in the second boat,” continued Mr Flynn, “in which there were originally the master (Captain C. Foster) and 20 men, but two Arabs died on the voyage. On leaving our ship we had several cases of biscuits, two and a-half beakers of water, and two cases of condensed milk. We had plenty of cigarettes, but had to be careful with the matches. No food or water was used during the first two days, and after that each man 'was allowed one biscuit, one-third of a cigarette tin full of water, and the lid filled with condensed milk every 24 hours. By cutting down the rations still further, it was possible that we might have reached Mauritius ,as on arrival at Rodiquez Island there were still some rations left. The thirst was worse than, the hunger; it seemed to overcome all desire to eat. I was lucky enough to catch a small flying fish one day, and four of us ate it raw. We had no lines, but ripped up portion of the canvas covers of the lifeboat in an endeavour to make lines, but they proved I useless.

“The boat was an ordinary ship’s lifeboat to carry 40 hands, and sails were improvised. The coverings of the boat were used as awnings at night, but proved only partly effective in keeping out the heavy rain. the men were huddled closely together sleep was practically impossible during the 23 awful days of the voyage, and we were lucky if we could doze. Rough weather was encountered for most of the voyage, except for four days when we were in the calms. Heavy rains and rough seas were experienced, and on two occasions our boat was nearly filled up and swamped. It was warm during the day, but very cold at night. While were were in the calms the captain had the oars put out, not that we could make any progress by it, but it was something for us to do. The oars were more than we could handle in our weakened state, and each man rowed only for two or three minutes at a time. After two or thre'e days becalmed we stuck our knives in the mast to bring wind, which is a popular supcrstititon at sea, and, strange to say, a good stiff breeze sprang up and we were able to make further progress. “Two reefs encircle Rodriquez Island, and there is only one break where it is possible for vessels to get through. Only the day before we sighted the island two native fishing boats came to gri.ef on the reefs, but we were fortunate enough to get through without mishap. Just inside the reefs was the Secunder, a small vessel which trades between Mauritius and Rodriquez, and, on sighting us, she put off a boat to come to our assistance. The Secunder’s boat took off two of our men, and gave us a pilot. We tried

to pull, but we were so utterly exhausted that we could not, so. the pilot pulled the boat in single-handed. Even in our enfeebled condition wo could not help laughing at the pilot, who kept shouting out, 'You’re quite safe. Don't worry; I’ll get you ashore.’ ” “Rodriquez Island was reached after a voyage of 23 days, and nearly 2000 miles were covered, as owing to the rough weather and the calms our progress was retarded and we had to make up nearly 400. miles. We steered by the sun and the stars, and by the use of sextants ascertained our latitude, but could not cojnpute-our longitude as we had no chronometer. We were followed by sharks for a considerable time, but after throwing the bodies of the two Arab members of the crew overboard they ceased to follow us. “On nearing the shore we heard nothing but people . shouting for the police, who had a small station by the jetty. Up to the time of landing wo felt all right, but on stepping ashore wo collapsed. We were given a little water and two biscuits and stimulants. Tito worst cases were put into hospital, and the rest of us in an unoccupied house where wo were well looked after. On the day after our arrival at Rodriquez the doctor attended to our wants and the next two days wore occupied in preparations for leaving. On July 4 H.M.S. Colombo was sent across from Mauritius, and we were taken over to Port Louis, where we joined our shipmates, who arrived at Mauritius after a voyage of 25 days. From Port Louis we were sent to Vacoas Camp, which is a healthy place on high country in the centre of the island, as the authorities feared malaria if we remained at Port Louis. On the second day after our arrival we attended the funeral of Allehin, the cook, who died after landing. Two days after my arrival I had pneumonia, but was not seriously ill," concluded Mr Flynn. The shipwrecked men afterwards disembarked v>n the Union Castle Line steamer Goorkha, bound for London, via Durban, Capetown, and Las Palmas. As soon as the vessel arrived off Gravesend there was much blowing of sirens and whistles and flags were flown everywhere. There was a very large gathering of the public, and, on landing, the meh were welcomed by the Mayor and corporation, and "subsequently entertained at luncheon.

The story of the experiences of the men of the Trevessa created a sensation throughout Great Britain, and a public fund, organised by Lloyd’s, resulted in £1442 being collected for their benefit. Mr Flynn received £2O as his share, and also £2O out of contributions raised by the public of Mauritius for the shipwrecked men.

On arriving at his home town, Plymouth, Mr Flynn was welcomed with enthusiasm. The Laira Athletic Association presented him with an illuminated address and made him a life member. On behalf of his old pupils of the Regent Street School, Liverpool, Lady Astor, M.P., presented him with a set of works on navigation in commemoration of his marvellous preservation. Mr Flynn was also presented with gold and silver watches and a silver cigarette case.