In 1883, an amazing event happened in the Indian Ocean. A large bird, called an albatross, carried a message for a very long distance. The bird flew 5,000 miles from Hog Island to Freemantle, Australia. The message was a SOS appeal from the crew of a French ship called “Tamaris”. The ship had been shipwrecked, and the sailors needed urgent help.
When the albatross arrived in Australia, it fell on the beach and was lifeless. Around the bird’s neck was a collar made from a tin can. On the can, the sailors had stamped their story. People read the message and were very surprised and impressed. The Australian government quickly sent a cable to Paris to tell them what had happened. A ship was sent immediately to help the sailors.
Unfortunately, the rescue ship arrived too late. It could not find the sailors. They were never heard from again. This story shows how clever and brave people can be, and how animals sometimes play an important role in human life. It is remembered today as a very unusual and remarkable event.
