Found By Plane.

Four Tahiti Residents Marooned On Tetiaroa.

From Our Own Correspondent

Papeete, Feb. 25.

TO be marooned on a desert island, there to lead a Robinson Crusoe existence for an indefinite time was the fate which threatened four of Tahiti’s leading citizens last month.

Aboard the twin-screw motor boat “Teuira”, they set out from Papeete on an expedition to Tetiaroa (an atoll 26 miles north of Tahiti). They arrived safely and anchored their boat on the lee side of the island.

As often happens in these waters, the wind suddenly shifted and stirred up a heavy sea on the side of the island where the boat was stationed. The anchor cable parted and the boat was cast on to the reef, breaking the rudder, and twisting one of the propellers so badly that it was useless. The keel also was damaged.

Fortunately, they had with them a goodly supply of food; but there was no way to communicate with Tahiti to tell of their plight.

Meanwhile, relatives and friends at Papeete became anxious. They had visions of the boat’s engines having failed at sea and of the “Teuira” and her passengers floating with the cur rents to those desert waters of the ocean which lie all about these islands outside the usual lines of traffic.

An aeroplane was despatched and, happily, discerned the four safe on Tetiaroa, struggling to refloat their vessel and to navigate her home with the one engine and propeller yet un damaged. The ’plane returned to Papeete with the news, and the schooner “Maria Stella” was sent to bring back the “Teuira” and her passengers.

A large proportion of the population of Papeete was at the quay to welcome and congratulate the shipwrecked com pany on their fortunate and speedy rescue.