Page 9 - CYAA2024 Winter Series entry notice

the compass, his watch, and most of the provisions lost in the two upsets, he
now made for New Caledonia. On the 24th December he sighted Fearne or
Hunter Island, a barren rock standing out 400ft. from the sea. On Christmas

Day he had about 12ib. corned meat, half-gallon of alcohol, and 15 gallons of
water. Beef and alcohol were taken “ straight” for dinner that day. On the 28th
December the Island Mathews was passed, where, having no choice, he had to
sail clean over a reef, the surf from which dragged his "sea anchor” overboard.

Here the depth of water enabled him to anchor till daylight.
New Year’s Day was spent with about the me cold collation which character-
ised his Christmas Day. He then gave up making for New Caledonia as the
winds and current were unfavorable. On 7th January he caught a bird which lit
on the boat, and he had a feast. On the 11th he caught another bird which came

on his head. January 14 h he ate the last meat, a 2(b. tin having lasted him a
f
week. He was lucky in sometimes catching the flying fish which dropped on

board, these he ate without ceremony. On the 16th, his rudder giving way, he
had to contrive a means for steering, and this he performed with success and
ingenuity. On sighting Middle Bellonia Island, he found he was 5deg. out in his
reckoning. He caught a bird again off there, but on 2lst January bis hunger
began to grow upon him, and he was forced to pick the largest barnacles which

were on the side of the boat, and sucking them spit them out again. On the 21th
he shot a bird with his revolver, but was unable to get it from the water. On the
20th he was lucky enough to again catch a bird, and made two meals from it,
having cooked it over a heap of broken matchs. Sunday and Monday passed

without anything to eat, and a calm all the time, but towards the evening of the
latter day a breeze sprang up, but by this time he was too far gone and too
reckless of consequences from exhaustion to heed much which way he steered ;
he slept last Sunday night, and on the following day at about 10 o'clock he had

written his log and taken the altitude, and went to lie down, curious to say, more
downhearted on his prospects than he had yet felt, when, on lifting his head, to
his joyous surprise he sighted & vessel quite near to him. He made for it, and
was assured by her altering her course she saw him. As we have already said,

he was taken on board the Alfred Vittery and brought up to town. He is
naturally full of thanks to those whom chance so opportunely threw in his way,
and the kindness with which he was received by both captain and crew deserve
the highest praise. The man is apparently about 33 years old, tall, and of stout
build, ie will be, when he has fully recovered from the effects of his trip. He was

kindly taken by Mr. Booker to the Melbourne Hotel, and his boat can be seen
hanging from the davits of the schooner. Gilfoy very nearly accomplished his
task, the wisdom of which undertaking is best known to himself; he has at least

the knowledge that he has performed a feat without parallel on the waters of the
Pacific.