“France Australe”

Another Papeete Schooner Wrecked in Tuamotus

Papeete, Sept. 6.

TO the long list of wrecks which have occurred from time to time in the dangerous waters of the Tuamotu Archi pelago must now be added that of the “Prance Australe,” a locally-owned auxi liary trading schooner of 87 tons.

The mishap occurred during the night of July 30, while the vessel was on her way between Hikueru and Anaa. After calling at Haraiki en route, in order to look at the “Ville de Papeete” which is stranded on the reef there, a start was made for Anaa at about 6.30 p.m. The weather was boisterous, and finally de-

veloped into a gale with heavy seas. The first indication of anything wrong was given by one of the passengers sleeping on the floor of the trade room. He heard queer sounds coming from the hold be neath him, as though the cargo was being thrown from side to side—which indeed it was, but not merely from the rolling of the vessel, as he suspected.

An examination below the deck showed that the engine room was already half submerged—the “France Australe” was proceeding under sail at the time —and that an influx of water had displaced

some of the cargo, thus causing the noises heard by the passenger. The pumps were started at once and all hands, including the passengers, assisted with empty oil tins. But their combined efforts proved to be inadequate The vessel was now down by the head to a dangerous extent, and Captain Richam launched the ship’s boat as the only means of saving his and Passengers.

When all hands had left the ship, attempts were made to locate the leak by a Paumotu diver who was on board. However, the darkness combined with the heavy sea and the fact that the “France Australe still had some way on her, ren-

dered* such attempts ineffectual, and the schooner was abandoned, The total number aboard was 14 and they were in anything but an enviable predicament, the nearest island being Anaa, some 55 miles away. The small boat was dangerously overloaded; she was also leaky and when heavy seas broke occasionally over her gunwales only con stant baling kept her afloat.

Fortunately, however, there was a favourable wind, and, by rigging a make shift sail with oars and a scrap of can vas, they arrived at Anaa after about 24 hours in the open sea—not much the worse for their perilous adventure.

Passengers and crew of the “France Australe,” photographed on their arrived at Anna Island after a hazardous 24 hours’ journey in open sea from the wreck.