A Modern Ulysses
p. 19 · Read in the full issue
Capt. de Bisshop in the Marshalls
From a Special Correspondent.
JALUIT (Marshall Is.), Sept. 3.
AFTER sailing through the Solomon Islands, Captain Eric de Bisshop and his companion M. Joseph Tatibouet, the French ocean rovers who were at Thurs day Island and Papua some months ago, recently arrived in the Marshall Group in their strange Chinese junk, Fuo Po 2.
As none of the Japanese officials at Jal uit understood French and knew but little English, it was hard for the travellers to
establish intelligent communication. For a fortnight, until this was affected, their movements in the group were restricted, the Japanese authorities having some doubt concerning the Frenchmen’s &ona fides.
After much difficulty the Governor, with the assistance of an American missionary who is stationed here, was able to under stand that the adventurers were on a world voyage and wished to proceed to Hawaii. Captain de Bisshop’s remarks were addressed in English to the mis sionary, who translated them in the Mar shall dialect to a native boy; in turn the native interpreted the message into Ja panese for the Governor!
As a result of inquiries, Captain de Bisshop was informed that he could de part whenever he wished. Stating that he would leave the same day, the French man said he was bound for Honolulu and did not intend to call at any other islands on his way. He took on board some 60 gallons of fresh water, tea and sugar, and a quantity of coconuts. Their provisions, he calculated, would last for three months.
The Government launch towed the vessel out to sea, and six miles from land the sails were hoisted and the tow line cast off. The light breeze, just filling the sails, was barely sufficient to over come the resistance of the Fuo Po’s barn door cutwater. With the sun dazzling
on the gaily painted bow. Captain de Bisshop, a modern Ulysses at the helm of one of the queerest craft that ever sailed the Seven Seas, manoeuvred his vessel and headed north-east for Hawaii.
The Fuo Po, unfortunately, never reach ed Honolulu; she was wrecked on Molokai Island, 60 miles from Oahu, where the capital is situated. The French adven turers were later taken by 'plane to Hono lulu.
Captain de Bisshop’s queer vessel, Fuo Po 2, photographed last February, when it was being repaired at Port Moresby, Papua. It was wrecked at Molokai, Hawaiian Group, a few weeks ago.