Fate Of The "Percy

Edwards"

THERE must be many descendants in different parts of the Pacific, includ ing New Zealand, of those Ameri cans who sailed in the late nineties in the brigantine “Percy Edward”. About one hundred of them embarked, in 1896, on this vessel, which had been specially fitted to carry them to some South Seas paradise. Members of the expedition wanted some lonely isle where they could carry out an experiment in civilisation, under ideal conditions. Eventually, they reached Fiji. By that time, they doubted very much whether such an island as the one of which they had dreamed existed!

The expedition was a failure. Some settled in different parts of the Fijian Group, and about fifty went on to New Zealand. But the “Percy Edward” still sailed on, with a few hands. She was partially crippled during a gale, and, later, put into Noumea in distress. There she was condemned and sold. In time the brigantine was re-conditioned in New Caledonia, and entered the labour trade under the French flag. From then on she seems to have disappeared. Per haps some old-timer has knowledge of her subsequent fate. —E.R.

Mr. G. Snow, of Taveuni, Fiji, is now manager of Morris, Hedstrom, Ltd., Savu Savu.