New-York tribune., 1871-11-08
MODERN. CRUSOES.
THE LOSS or THE MEGERA-THE CREW LAND ON
AN ISLAND IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC-INTER-
EXITING ACCOUNT AR rIIRIR EXPEnfENOE.

first time since tho occurrence account OF the loss OF
the rooshp Megera the adopted by her ere"
to live the amost unnhabited island OF st. Paul until
ship took them of Tho Megera sailed from England In
February last In very unseaworthy condition, owing
to the neglect Of the British naval authorities When on
the island Of st. Paul. in the South Pacific OceanabOut
1900 miles from Ausraathe ship found eaky and
breaking up, and 1t determined 10 absndon her.
Capt mrupp tells in tho form Of diary the following
interesting story Of the landing Of the crew the Island
OF st. Paul. and how they lived there month:
On Sunday June ls, at 95 a. m, turned tho hands
up read prayers and then informed the ships company
that the ship not fit to proceed on her voyage, and
ordered provisions and stores to be at once landed
At about noon the divers succeeded In putting plate
on and fnearly stopped tho leak then got French
man living here TO PICK out nearer berth for the ship to
anchor might not get foul OF the rocks shifted into
81 fathons, sandy BOTTOM with good shelter from the
We landed most Of our provisions the frat day, and
employed the at night filing coaLbags ready to bo
Ing the storeroons aud troodocks aud everything we
could from the lower part Of the ship kcsnng the pmps
dsv 1he 10Th OF June lowered boats and went on land
Ing stores all day during the night we had sesm hosting
OIL are under water some shel and powder The sails
were all saved and most Of the Stops and bales some
are wet ana a dHar Thrb vine and beer stores Of ali
sorts were landed together have not nean % any d e
both working willingly Some officers were hllng COAX
bags working under the main deck where we lAu
OOenPd IL to yet out coal LOT COHucuSiuB'
There are seyers sheds and houses shore that with
tents have enabled us to get many stores under cover
Two shore boats were manned loadeu anu 'uSen" Su'
We have about lseOO pounds OF bread and about six
weeks -four 30 the mon are on one,tH & hnv viii
last 1870 days We have found 5000 pounds OF rce on Inc
issaGi mors than four @onths @ Any quantity ash Cray
fish can bo caug hit, and water our cnieI oc f1
every one in two hours This IL rain water but 1t rains
frequently during the next -FOUR montns. - ,roa ,o-
ward Is feet enneroom, II feet Inches aft Punished
Jehro Spear ordinary second Gass @ oT This %
the only case OF nsubOrdnatiOn that has occurred.
The condenang arrangements are now complete p9n,
Three adped GALLONS & Sh ss E0 as ioO ppy can be OBJ
tsined from the Wells by means hoses DO not in
tend to any Goals the turf out and DRIED we nhd an
for fuel, using little wood rs we'll -.
This afternoon all the men, with their bags ana nam
Weather though about 10 men ana is officers are still
living board. Az soon as sufficient tents ana houses
are erected all will be landed. They are quito able at
present to live on board but the smell OF blge water
Increasing. Therefore propose In 10" DAYS W snu
Sunday, juno 25-Read prayers on board. The wind
very light consider to be the cause OF heayy rolers
coming in there being lee side to the island unless
strong westerly wind s blowing Tho first III lieutenant t
read prayers shore During the afternoon the weather
was better for landing NO work was carried on the oay
Monday, 2S-seut party OF 100 men to finish hOisang
pprtv of @aflnes to carry water from the water pools
the starting hose ut the top OF the Gill; $50 rect ABOVE ne
ship qartered there under canvas with trf sides I"
We have completed the length OF hose the whole dis
tance feet to tho camp this day and tho water runs
down freely in about ten minutes being great saving
Of sending all the way to the top with DaIricoes.
the Island, large quantity OF mushrooms, some few
cabbages and potatoes There are hot fresh wafer springs
Iruk Int Very well suited for washing with clay close
to 1t that athers WI II and makes excellent soap This
TesTe are only five men at present on the sick list with
sores and wounds The climate far We can judge
Ia hool
that any men getting wet are shifted Immediately.
One red Light has been seen at night and two ships
passed the island Friday, the 23d inst we red guns
them A sea message" has been prepared, and we
june Ss@conmehced building large barracks aban
dOned 'hpi all hands en0aas4 aGTs 6hsys &c.
@ S. e The 81 I RS % Ts?
they could not get into the magazine but have recovered
In day they got up coils Of rope, wooden
twelve bales two rolls of lead two tubes fourteen
covered In any day Some of the wet bales contained
hammOcks others canvas flags, stOckings serge, and
duck these all being opened, dried, and sewn up In
canvas. Nearly all the marine clothing packed in casks
could not be got at before the ship grounded they are
have been opened oiled, and repacked more or less
damaged. The sails for the Clio, Blanche and Ro-
weather Is so cold the Megsras sails 80 thin and worn
the men getting wet at night, that reluctantly gave
and tentS with orderot to cut any Of them but a@
afraid they will get very much damaged from exposure
the weather 1t Is question OF health saving Of
sails; think the former most important Every bit OF
canvas except neg in bolts has been n used to shelter
months The Thermometer ia below ls0 at night and the
his tent last night and is suffering aoutey from rheuma
tsm others have had darrhea and some slight attacks
e sick list to great
Of the medical men, attending inspecting and seeing
On Thursday, the 9Th Of July largo old building con-
tanning stores and candles, was blown down by the viO
ence OF tho wind The men inside escaped without in
Jury, crawling out from among ruins; 1t Was built Of
loose stones.
The same day had to recall the working party from
the ship because the bar was so bad Many OF the roads
have been repayed and pieces Of ground eveed ready
as well a. those for the officers Parties Of men and off,
fishing In boats and fish caught are served out
they will CO. From 100 to $50 pounds caught by this
means every day Still having been here now three
want Of T provisions owl have thought iT advisable to re-
duce the allowance Of provisions. The men have
served meat half an allow of tea every other day,
quarter allowance only OF sugar. LmeJuioe, without
all but, having plenty Of cocoa they have that instead
Of their tea every other night
they have had, carrying water barrcoes, digging cut
ting turf rolling casks working in mud over their boots
save their trousers The boats require Constant repair
cutter very old boat, L. damaged that she can
with lead with tin dag above the cork containing an
account OF position, have been thrown overheard
febuoy and barriooe; bottles are ready and viii
be sent frOm time 10 time.
second tank has been strengthened to as boiler
another sunk below hghwater mark for conde nsng and
An additional quantity Of piping laid down by the ens
neers Their men are also employed In cutting, drying
and stacking turf.
The blacEsmiths constantly employed repairing
pades; nearly all we had have been broken. Our work
3 much delayed by the few picks and spades have
Parties have been sent ont TO collect different
with herbs dsndeOns and other substitutes for ordinary
vegetables that be found TO prevent the from
suffering from scurvy, as there Is very little limeuce
eft They have succeeded In cooking t0lerable
vegetables The weather has been very cold indeedbe
ow 20 with snow lying the ground at the sgnasta
ion; continual hail In squalls for nearly week, accom-
panied by wild stormy weather During the bad weather
very few 1sh have been caught.
The remained ON the sland. looking anxouSIy for