Cyclone of 1906

How British Barque Got Onto Takaroa Reef

Prom Our Own Correspondent

Papeete, Jan. 14.

ALTHOUGH 43 years have passed since she was thrown onto this coral reef on Takaroa Island, in French Oceania, the hull of this ill-fated British barque, “County of Roxburgh,” still is a prominent landmark in this isolated part of Polynesia.

On February 7, 1906, Tahiti and adja cent islands were swept by the worst cyclone ever to visit this part of the globe.

Imagine the consternation on the Oceanic

liner, “Mariposa,” when she steamed into Papeete harbour on February 14 and found the post-office, custom house, wharf and all the waterfront washed away.

The Governor of French Oceania des patched the French gunboat “Zelee” to succour the islands, and goodhearted Cap tain R. T. Lawless, of the SS “Mariposa,” assisted by the chief steward, Mr. Geo.

Paston, called at some of the islands and left provisions.

Then there arrived a ship’s boat bear ing the captain and survivors of the British barque, “County of Roxburgh,” of Glasgow, which had; been driven onto the reef at Takaroa. Ten of the ship’s crew had been drowned when one of the life boats was crushed between the ship and reef. All their bodies were recovered and buried near the ship.

During World War I, when questing eyes were on anything that would float, the

An old photograph of the “County of Roxburgh” on the reef.