The daily herald. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1886-1887, 1886-09-30
OCEAN ISLAND SHIPWRECK
Return OF the Relief Expedition
Tho Sbipwreched People Taken to
Valparaiso Left Word of their
Good Health What was Seen and
Done on tho Island.

Yesterday morning ABOUT SIX CiOCk
the steamship Waialeale was signalled
returning from Ocean Island, where
she had gone fifteen days before, on
behalf of the British Government, to
the rescue of Captain Martin and
twenty-five Of the crew of the wrecked
Dunnottar Castle. Many people
fastened to the wharf to meet her,
doubtless in the expectation of seeing
the shipwreckcd people. Althouhg dis
appointed in this, they we're anything
but grieved to hear that the whole
party had been taken off the island
month before the arrival of the expedi-
ton, by a British ship bound to Val
paraiso, and that they we're all in good
health.
Captain Hall, commander Of the ex-
petition, reported having light trade
winds and fine weather all the way
down. They arrived at Ocean or Cure
Island at 10 a. M, on the goth inst,
FIVE days and seventeen hours from
Honolulu. Anchoring within cables
length of the stranded vessel, the
captain sent one boat ashore and
another to the ship. In the cabin was
found paper containing the following
statement, and similar one was found
in bottle suspended to a pole on
shore:-
"CURE ISLAND, August IS, 1886.
"This is to anyone that comes here,
that the crew, 22 in number, of the
ship Dunnottar Castle, after being here
for 80 days, was taken off the island by
the ship Birnam Wood, Of St. John,
N. B., from Hongkong, bound to Val
paraiso. My chief officer, five men,
and one apprentice, having gone away
in the life boat, over three weeks before
for assistance. The Birnam Wood
being bound for Valparaiso, | expect
to be landed there. At the time Of
departure the crew were all well,
"H. A. MARTIN,
"Master Ship Dunnottar Castle"
Il No vegetation was found on the
island, excepting species of seaweed
covering the entire surface, the vines
of which were clothed with waxy
leaves The Dunnottar Castle was
wrecked on the southern part of the
island, while the Saginaw came to grief
on the northern extremity. AS to the
former, the ship had not broken up,
the hull with the exception of the bot
tom remaining intact. BY the way,
some local spectators are talking
about an expedition to secure the
anchors, chains and other gear of the
, wreck. Rats abounded on the island
and made themselves quite familiar.
Two or three dogs belonging to the
ship were running about on the arrival
of the party, which quoted apprehen-
sions felt by Mr. Norman, the first
r officer, as to the fate of his companions.
, A bitch bore evidence of having given
birth to litter recently, but not one of
the pups could be found, and it was
concluded that the rats had got away
: with them.
The Waialeale remained at the
island one day and ten hours During
that period the Hawaiian Governments
party executed the work they were
commissioned for very thoroughly
They put the shed together and the
. water tanks in position, planted the
i cocoanuts, and also dug well
twenty feet deep, lining it with water
, casks. The water procured in the
' we'll is described as very pure, in no
degree brackish and, in fact, consid-
cred superior to Honolulu water. 1t is
said that Col J. H. Boyd took formal
+, possession of Ocean Island on behalf of
! this Government, by hosting the Ha-
: waiian flag; but pending any official
: notice of the act, it is not known
), whether itself or the report concerning
!. it is,a joke or dead earnest.
! Considerable provisions were left by
!, the crew of the Dunnottar Castle, con
!, sisting of salt pork, beet, flour, bread
!, and canned goods They were buried
:, in the sand, with headstones over them
;, indicating the nature of the deposits.
, When the relief party landed they were
> struck with alarm, mstaking the array
Of headstones for those of graveyard.
q Seals, sea lions, turtles, and great
- variety of sea birds frequented the reel
= in large numbers. From the birds an
! abundance of nutritious eggs can be
:, obtained.
- Mr.. Norman, chief officer of the
h wrecked vessel, was not in good health
Il during the expedition, but felt all righ
10 on returning to Honolulu. Appar
y emily the expedition was very well con
# Quoted
A Man Under the Bed.