The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1872-11-14
PLEASANT MASON COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA. THURSDAY NOV EMBER

was deemed best, under the guidance o
the captain and bis officers, that the boats
should make for the New Zealand malr
coast. 10 the excitement to clear from
the ship, three living souls we're lelt OF
board-the steward. bis wife, and ont
man, a seaman. Events afterward showed
that these unhappy people bad no othe'
recourse but to seek what refuge the
dreadful island afforded. With some dlt
dculdes aud many dangers they con'rlved
to scale the high cliffs and gain the leve
country. What they found for their IT,
ture home vas wild aud desolate coun
try, almost timberlcss, rocky aud only
by,searchiug could they find few small
springs Of fresh water. They knew by
report that government vessels sailed
around the coast, and at times called there
seeking for castaways, pigs aud goats
when let loose. Huts had been erected
there, and provision buried in the soil, n
fact known by poles being planted over
the spot with certain marks upon them
Indicating what is planted beneath them;
but there was no dependence upon the ar.
rival Of any sail. 50 they made their habi-
tation in rude hut which they found in
in a very dlapida,ed condition, evidently
having suffered from storms, and they dis.
covered some food under one Of the poles
already alluded 10. Day after day, week
after week passed over, aud no sign Of 70.
lief They had to study those numerous
shifts made so famous by the renowned
"Crusoe;" meanwhile the boats that left
the ship for the mainland Of the coast were
never heard Of, aud 50 beyond doubt found.
cred OF 500 10 some Of the violent storms
that followed upon the time Of the wreck
Some Eve months after the wreck oftho
Eagle a whaling vessel discovered traces
Of the disaster still standing at the mouth
Of the cave; in fact from the secure man.
ner the ship bad settled at the mouth Of this
opening Of tile cliffs, she remained almost
whole, although sunk under tho surface
ofthe water, showing bu, little ofhcr bull
or masls. The captain Of the whaler not,
Of course, Wishing to close an examination
Of what DO could p''iU|St sgse va .!l.. , les
fIixssk 81 4 lsrge VIZ 6n697}Al Siof0
|cpa gsto2' COM lsn1 SpnaS Paps
(which proved beyond all doubt the name,
and the other particulars Of the doomed
vessel. After very briefsurrey Of the
coast in case any living soul should be
alive there, O violent storm drove him OF
ADD be made sail for the nearest Austral-
ian port with The news Of the disaster
The three castaways had taken up their
quarters on the extreme point Of the
island, some three miles from the cave,
and in spite Of their continued lookout for
sails they we're in ignorance Of the whaler's
discovery Of the wreck. Among other
fortunate circumstances. they happened to
have 10 their possession box Of matches
which enabled them to kiudle FIRE to
serve as .u attractive beacon at night-a
drc they never allowed to 60 out, uotwitb.
standing the scarcity Of wood, but it serv-
ed the desired purpose, for vessels gave
the island wide berth.
From the position Of the wreck aud its
comparative safety from any total destruc.
ion for some considerable time from the
action of the sea. it was resolved by the
Wreck Company, established iu Melbourne,
10 send down party Of divers to secure
the gold specie, and other valuables on
toard, and a properly equipped party ar
rived there and commenced operations,
nearly nine months after the night Of the
disaster The ship was found few faith
oms down, in an upright position firmly
decked between walls Of immense rocks,
50 the labors Of the divers became easy =
Ia the saloon and different cabins every.
thing appeared untouched and exactly as
lef, by the doomed passengers in their hur.
ried aigh. Bodies we're lying in their
beds. others stretched across seats or ".
ing on the floor, siuguIarly preserved oil.
most life like BY the peculiar salty atnos.
phcric and tranquility Of the water AZ
ter some considerable time the gold boxes,