Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1884-11-06
HREChEH IN MiD-PACIFIC.
ILe Romantic Adventure Of Some Csstowy
sailors on Tanning Island.

sailors on flaming Island.
fAIta California;
A representative OF the Alta yesterday
gained information that the schooner Malo-
10 had arrived at this port with the captain,
second mate, steward, and four Of the crew
OF the schooner Premier. long since sup.
posed TO be lost. The reporter found the
second mate OF the Premier, who said
$50 you want TO know something OF the
Premier aud her crew, eh, The Premier
left Eureka, Humboldt county, some time
in 1883, with a cargo OF redwood, which
she discharged at Sydney. On the 10Th
OF January OF the present year she sailed
from Newcastle, N. S. W., loaded with $50
tons OF coal. to be landed at Eureka. On
March 18th IL was discovered that she had
sprung alesk. For twenty-five days we
worked like madmen, scarcely taking time
to eat OF our poor and mesgrc rati0us. One
day, while drifting about, We sighted what
we supposed to be an island. but on COM
ing nearer we discovered that it was moth
ing but barren rock. With saddeued
bearts we tackled about in another direc-
ten. On the twenty.second day after we
discovered the leak we saw ahead Of us
what looked 10 be quite u large piece OF
land. When about entering harbor we
struck upon coral reef.
We were at once discovered by natives
OF the island. and upon making inquiry
were told that we were in English IiarbOr,
\ little Inlet in Tanning Island. This
island Is a COED many miles south OF the
Hawaiian Islands, and is owned bya ScOth-
man named Gregg, who was shipwrecked
about twenty-three years age and who
found his way to that place. He married
Los f.,I
by her. one is beautiful girl OF seven
teen years. She was educated at the Sand
witch Islands, and hiss travelled extensively
in Europe and the United States. She
seems to ike her island home. In fact, she
has often told me that she would not cx.
change il for any other in the world. One
day whilst Captain Gregg was on his way
10 Honolulu the frs: mate OF the Premier.
who had been making love in a surrepti-
tious fashion TO this daughter OF the sea,
proposed TO her, was accepted. and in the
presence OF all OF the inhabitants OF the
island they consented to take each other as
husband and wife, with proyiso on the
part Of the Young woman that the mate
never return 10 his native country to live.
Fauning's island is nearly seven miles
long and about four in width. There IL
much guano upon il, and cocoanuts and
bananas are also abundant. Captain Gregg
is the possessor OF considerable wealth.
acquired through the sale Of cobr, and
guano. There are number OF chickens
upon the island. as well as goats and mich
cows. Captain Gregg is the owner OF
nice bark, which he uses TO ply between
his place and the Sandwich Islands. lie
was extremely kind TO us, and. must saw.
has but one fault, and that is the appetite
for alcoholic liquors. lie thinks nothing
Of drinking half gallon a day. After we
ran upon the reef il was necessary 10 get
md 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 1Ith OF Septem-
Der the Maloio stopped there fol cargo OF
cobra. On the 18th she went TO Washing
ton island, returned TO Fannin:'s island.
and left there with the crew OF the Premier
on the 75th-that is, all save the first mate.
whe remained to pursue his honeymoon
and look after the damaged schooner. The
Balolo arrived in this port Yesterday.