The Abbeville messenger. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1884-1887, 1884-11-12
WRECKED IN MlD-PACIFiC.
The Romantic Adventure of Some
Castaway Sailors on FanninG
Island

The Romnntic Adventure of Some
Castaway Sailors on flaming
Island.
A representative of the 1ltu ycstcr-
day gained information that the sooner
Malona had arrived at this port with the
captain, second mate, Stewart and coul
of the crew Of the sooner Premier, long
since supposed to be lost. The report
cr found the second mate of the Pre-
micr, who said: 80 YOU want to
know something Of the Premier and her
crew, oh? The Premier left Eureka,
Humboldt county, some time in 1888,
with 4 cargo Of redwood, which she dis
charged at Sidney. On the 25th OF
January Of the present year she sailed
from New Castle, n. S. W., loaded with
$50 tons of coal, to be landed at Eureka.
On March llth it was discovered that
she had sprung leak. For twenty
two days we worked like madmcn,
scarcely taking time to cat of our poor
and mcagrc rations. One day, while
drifting about, we sighted what we sup
posed to be an island, but upon coming
nearer we discovered that il was nothing
but barren rock With Saddcncd
hearts we tackled about in another di-
rcction. On the twcnty-second day af-
tor we discovered the leak we saw
ahead of us what looked to be quite a
large piece of land. When about enter
ing harbor We struck upon a coral
reef.
We were at once discovered hy ma
tives Of the island and upon making in
quiry were told that VIC were in Eng
liSh I!arbor, little inlet in Panning
Island. This island is a good many
miles South of the Hawaiian Islands
and is owned by Scotchman named
Gregg, who was shipwrccked about
twcnty-thrcc years ago and who found
his way to that place. He married 4 ma
tive woman and has had seven chril,lrcn
by her. One is 4 beautiful girl of sev-
enteen years. She was educated mt the
Sandwich Islands and has travelled extern
Siveiy in Europe and the United States.
She seems to like her island home. In
fact, she has often told me that she
would not exchange it for any other in
the world. One day whilst Captain
Gregg was on his way to Ilonolula the
70 nc
been making love in surrcptitious
fashion to this daughter of TIE sea. pro-
posed to her, VAS accepted and in the
presence Of all Of the inhabitants
Of the Island they consented to
take each other as husband and wife.
with proviSo on the part Of the young
woman that the mate never return to
his native country to live.
Tanning Island is nearly seven miles
long anl about rourin width. There is
much guano upon It and cocoanuts and
bananas are also abundant. Cap
tain Gregg is the pcsscssor or consider
able wealth, acquired through the sale
Of cobra and Suano. There are a num-
her Of chickens upon the island, as well
as goats and mich cows. Captain
Gregg is the owner Of nice bark.
which he uses 10 ply between his place
and the Sandwich Islands. He was cx-
trcmcly kind to Us, and, must say. has
but one fault, and that is the appetite
for alchoholic liquors. He thinks moth
ing Of drinking Il half gallon day.
A ltcr we ran upon the reef it was nee
cssary to get rid Of our cargo, which we
did with the assistance Of the natives.
and that's saved, at any rate.
We remained upon Fanning's Island
for about six months. On the 1lth of
September the Malolo stopped there for
cargo Of cobra. On the 18th she went
to Washington Island. returned to Fan
ning's Island and left there with the
crew Of the Premier on the 25th-that is,
all save the first mate. who remained to
pursue his honeymoon and look after
the damaged sooner The Malolo ar
rived in this port yestcrday.-1Ua
CaIJo.wio.