The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1871-12-14
MODERN CRUSOES.
THE LOSS OF THE MEGERA

The Meg@ra sailed from England in
February, in very unseaworthy condi-
ton, owing to the neglect of the British
naval authorities. When off the island
of st. Paul in the South Pacific Ocean
. about 1900 miles from Australia-the
ship was found leaky and breaking up,
and it was determined to abandon her.
Captain Thrupp tells, in the form of
diary, the following interesting story of
the landing of the crew on the island of
st. Paul, and how they lived there a
month:
On Sunday June 49, at 9:15 A. NJ, 1
turned the hands up, read prayers, and
then informed the ships company that
the ship was 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 nearly stopped
the leak. then got Frenchman liv-
ing here to pick out nearer berth for
the ship to the shore, where the whalers
generally anchor, that the anchor might
not get foul of the rocks; we shifted into
s. fathoms, sandy bottom, with good
shelter from the Ninepin Rock.
We landed most of our provisions the
first day, and employed the men at night
filling coal-bags ready to be landed in
the morning. We also kept men at
work clearing the store-rooms and troop
decks, and everything we could from the
lower part of the ship, keeping the
pumps going at the same time.
At daylight on Tuesday, the Goth of
June, lowered boats, and went on land
ing stores all day; during the night we
had been hosting all we could above the
water. Many casks of lime paint, oil,
are under water some she'll and powder
The sails were all saved, and most of the
slops and bales some are wet and dam
aged. hope to get up many things yet
by using the diver. Though wine and
beer stores of all sorts were landed to-
gether, 1 have not heard of anything
being missing or any drunkenness, the
officers and men both working willingly
Some officers were filling ooal-bags,
working under the main deck, where we
had opened it to get out coal for con-
densing.
There are several sheds and houses on
shore that, with tents, have enabled us
to get many stores under cover. Two
shore boats were manned, loaded and
discharged by some OF the officers entire
ly.
We have about 200 pounds Of bread,
and about six weeks flour. So the men
are on third allowance of these pro-
visions, or, using one bag per diem, they
will last 130 days. We have found 5000
pounds of rice on the island beside. OF
rum and other provisions we have more
than four months. Any quantity OF fish.
Cray fish can be caught, and water, our
chief difficulty, has been found in abund-
ance. Twenty men can fetch for every
one in two hours. This is rain water,
but it rains frequently during the next
four months.
June 24-The draft of water, IL feet
8 inches forward, Is feet engine-room,
Spear, ordinary second class Second
class for conduct with 4S lashes for re-
fusing to work. This is the only case Of
insubordination that has occurred.
The condensing arrangements are now
complete. Three hundred gallons with
coal, 100 gallons with turf, can be made
daily; but as long as supply can be
obtained from the wells by means OF
hoses, we do not intend to use any Goals
the turf cut and dried we find answers
for fuel, using little wood as well.
This afternoon all the men, with their
bags and hammocks, are under tents and
we'll protected from the weather, though
about 40 men and 13 officers are still
living on board. As soon as sufficient
tents and houses are erected, all will be
landed. They are quite able at present
to live on board, but the smell of bilgs
water is increasing. l Therefore propose
in few days to land every one.
Sunday, June 25.-Read prayers on
board. The wind very light, consider
it to be the cause of heavy rollers CON-
ing in, there being no lee side to the
island unless strong westerly wind i:
blowing. The frst-lieutenant read
prayers on shore. During the afternoon
the weather was better for landing. Nc
work was carried on, the day being Sun
day.
Monday, 90 Sent a party of l0C
men to finish hosting up studding-ssil
boom for a flagstaff; signal-men and a
party of marines to carry water FROM the
water-pools to the starting hose at the
top of the cliff, $50 feet above the ship,
are quartered there under canvas, with
turf sides to their tents.
W. hofO WILL ShO III "a hooS
the whole distance, $50 feet, to the camp
this day, and the water runs down freely
in about ten minutes, being great saw
ing of sending men all the way to the
top with barricoes.
1t is estimated that there are about
100 wild goats on the island, large
quantity OF mushrooms, some few cab.
bsges and potatoes. There are hot
fresh-water springs, strongly impreg-
mated with sulphur, and not healthy tc
drink, but very well suited for washing
with clay close to it that lathers well
and makes excellent soap. This spring
is within quarter of mile of the en-
csmpment.
There are only FIVE men at present on
the sick list with sores and wounds
The climate, as far as We can judge at
present. is very healthy; great care has
been taken that any men getting wet
are immediately shifted.
One red light has been seen at night,
and two ships passed the island on Fri.
day, the 2Sd inst. We fired guns and
sent boat out, but they passed too far
off to recall them. A "sea message" has