On her way to the China Station, Comus searched the Indian Ocean for a missing iron sailing vessel. Although the search did not find the ship, it formed part of the practical safety work expected from a warship moving between distant stations. Comus later deposited provisions on Possession Island in the Crozet group for shipwrecked mariners. Such marked caches could contain long-life food, fresh water or water-making equipment, and fuel, giving survivors a chance to endure until another vessel checked the island. Ordinary naval voyages maintained this distributed maritime-safety network before specialized rescue services existed.
Chapter · 56:03-57:55
Searching for a missing ship and sustaining castaway caches
Comus searched the Indian Ocean for a missing sailing ship and replenished remote survival stores that could keep shipwrecked mariners alive until rescue.