Trapped on an Island

Question

Teen Channel: Spotlight on Teens

The storm-battered sailboat was disintegrating, but the ocean currents had brought the rudderless craft and the six teenagers onboard within reach of a small island. "Mano" Sione Filipe Totau swam to shore, then called to the others to follow. They had made it to land, but their saga as castaways was just beginning.

Stories of living marooned on a deserted island make for fascinating flights of fiction. Think of Robinson Crusoe, Treasure Island, and Lord of the Flies. In 1965, though, these six teens from the Kingdom of Tonga embarked on a real-life struggle for survival. It would require great reserves of courage, creativity, and camaraderie.

Stranded

Boredom with boarding school combined with the desire for adventure set in motion the star-crossed voyage from Tonga's main island of Tongatapu. "I wanted to see the wide world," Mano recalled decades later on the Extremes podcast. He was joined by schoolmates "Stephen" Tevita Fatai Latu, Luke Veikoso, Sione Fataua, "David" Tevita Siolaʻa, and Kolo Fekitoa. All were teenagers at the time. They packed some bananas and coconuts and stole a boat with the intention of sailing to Fiji.

None of the six were seasoned sailors—they did not even bring maps or a compass. The very first night they were caught in a storm that shredded the sail and wrecked the rudder. After eight days adrift, their food was gone and hopes were fading, until the winds and waves pushed them to 'Ata. This tiny, isolated, and uninhabited island is at the southern end of the Tongan archipelago, about 100 miles (almost 161 kilometers) south of Tongatapu.

'Ata is a rugged island consisting of a high plateau and steep cliffs with little freshwater. For the first weeks after their arrival, the six rebuilt their strength by foraging for bananas, coconuts, shellfish, and seabird eggs. They used coconut shells, and then eventually hollowed-out tree trunks, to collect rainwater.

During their exploration of the island, they found the ruins of a long-abandoned settlement. They discovered papaya trees and patches of taro root along with feral chickens. They built huts out of coconut fronds, and celebrated Stephen's success at using sticks to start a fire after three months of trying.

The group knew that there was more to survival than meeting their basic physical needs. Working in teams of two, they tackled tasks that gave them purpose and buoyed their spirits, like gardening, cooking, and maintaining the fire. For exercise and recreation, they improvised a badminton court and a set of weights. Kolo even fashioned a guitar from a coconut shell and salvaged wood and wire. When conflicts arose, those involved would take some time for themselves until tempers cooled.

Back from the Dead

Weeks, months, then a year passed. The castaways made one attempt to construct an escape raft, but it foundered in the surf. "We realized we'd never get out," Mano recalled. "I lived in the hope…that something good would come tomorrow."

That tomorrow came on September 11, 1966, when a fishing boat captained by Peter Warner arrived scouting for crayfish. The Australian and his crew were instead confounded to see someone swimming toward their boat from what they thought was a deserted island.

"I'm Stephen," the swimmer called out. "There are six of us and we reckon we've been here 15 months."

Skeptical, Warner radioed Tongan officials with the story to see if it could possibly be true. "Stand by," the radio operator responded. Minutes passed, then—"You found them! These boys have been given up for dead. Funerals have been held. If it's them, this is a miracle!"

The castaways, by relying on their wits and each other, had survived an epic ordeal.

Think about and discuss these questions:
What evidence from the article supports the idea that it was a surprise when the teens were found alive?
If you were stranded on a deserted island, what would you do first? Why?
Question 3


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According to the article, why were the teens unable to control their boat?

It sustained damage to its sail and rudder in a storm.
They ran out of food and didn't have enough strength.
It foundered in the surf off the coast of a small island.

Answer 1

Evidence of Surprise in the Teens’ Rescue

The article states that when the fishing boat captain, Peter Warner, and his crew saw someone swimming towards their boat from what they thought was a deserted island, they were "confounded" by the sight. Additionally, the radio operator’s response—“These boys have been given up for dead. Funerals have been held. If it's them, this is a miracle!”—further supports the idea that the teens’ survival was completely unexpected. The fact that a rescue operation had already assumed the boys were dead indicates that their survival was a shocking revelation to those searching for them.

First Steps if Stranded on a Deserted Island

If I were stranded on a deserted island, the first thing I would do is assess my immediate needs: finding a source of fresh water and shelter. Access to fresh water is crucial for survival, and establishing a shelter would provide protection from the elements. After securing these basic necessities, I would focus on foraging for food and signaling for rescue. Prioritizing these actions aligns with ensuring survival in a challenging environment.

Why the Teens Couldn’t Control Their Boat

According to the article, the teens were unable to control their boat because it "sustained damage to its sail and rudder in a storm." This lack of control over the boat, combined with their inexperience as sailors, resulted in them being adrift for eight days before reaching the island.