South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-04-14
WRECKED YANKS IN
SOUTH SEA ESCAPE
On 750-Mile Pull to Fills
When Picked Up by a
British Warship.

WASHINGTON. p. CAPRI Ia
tale of shipwreck and adventure
in the south Seas such as Steven
son loved to tell is contained in a
report just received here from the
American Consul at Wellington,
New Zealand, on the American
schooner Columbia River. which
went ashore on Sunday Island re-
Gently
Aground on a barren. uninha Bit
cd island. The crew drew lots. and
six sailors and the captain took an
open boat and set out for the near
est port, Suva, in the Fijis. $50
miles away.
"The schooner was bound from
Auckland for Portland" the official
report says All went well. surviv-
ors say till just before dawn on the
third day out. when the watch sud
denly reported. Island close to on
pert beam!"
The startled captain leaped from
his berth and ran to the wheel-but
too late To save the ship. In fact.
SO near was the beach that even be-
fore the anchor could be let go the
schooner piled up her bowsprit
hard and fast on the beach Of sun
day Island.
ITO Wander for Days"
Shaken but safe. the officers and
crew dropped over the bows and
down on the beach-to wander for
days over the barren rock. Empty
OF all life IL was except for a few
sad, enervated goats, too blue from
their own unhappy lot even to bleat
raucous welcome to the ship
wrecked Americans.
"A ship calls once q year at sun
day Island, the captain knew: but
he did not know the time of the
year. Suva, I'm the Fills. $50 miles
away was the nearest CIVILIZATION,
on the wreck Of the schooner there
was food for a month-what to do
Like nearly ell American crowds
in times of stress. they talked If
Cver-everybody from the captain
20 the cook. And six sailors were
selected 10 take an open lifeboat and
strike across the stormy seas for
Suya-750 lniles away
Equipped with food. kerosene.
distress signals, sea anchors, an oil
stove and an extra mast and sail.
the little twenty two-foot craft set
boldly out with its crew Of six and
the captain. leaving six men to wait
on the barren island and pray for
redemption
Two sails were set, and the little
company. dividing into two watches
worked al the oars when the wind
failed. Each watch comprised three
men, one man relieved at the oars
every half hour The wind was not
always kind; once for two long days
they lay becslmed Again. having
rowed twenty-five miles in the teeth
Of a safe. they were driven back ten
miles. Rain added 10 their disoon-
fort. When the sun shone the heat
was pitiless; and they were glad 10
convert the sails. when NOT in use
into covers 10 protect them from the
sun. AT night the cold was intense.
Fourteen DreaTy Days"
Day after day they struggled on
toward Suva, sighting no sail in tina.
broad eXpanse OF water. For four
teen dreary DAYS the periIous trip
lasted, and az last the adventures
2rrived az their haven. The Brit
ish warship Chatham, the first yes
sci encountered, responded 10 their
hail Few words were required IN
explanation TO bring forth a hearty
welcome Weary and sore. they got
aboard the warship only 10 fall 10
the deck exhausted when they
reached safety
The crew were made comfort
able, every hospitality being shown
by the Britishers, who promised TO
sail next day for sunday Island to
the rescue of the mariners stin ma
rOoned there, while the seven men
proceeded TO Auckland, on the u.
5. s. Niagara. 20 report the disaster
10 the ships owners through Consul
General WILDER.
I'm a puritanical sense. the Island |