CASTAWAYS

Six Tongan teenagers who became castaways in 1965

These six boys, aged between 13 and 16, were students at a boarding school in Nuku'alofa, the capital of Tonga.

Bored and seeking adventure, they decided to steal a fishing boat and set sail for Fiji. However, their journey took a dramatic turn when a storm damaged their boat, leaving them stranded in the middle of the ocean.
After eight days adrift, they landed on the uninhabited island of 'Ata. With no means to call for help, they had to rely on their survival instincts. They set up a community, creating a food garden, a gymnasium with curious weights, a badminton court, chicken pens, and even a permanent fire, all from the limited resources they had.

For 15 months, they lived on the island, surviving on fish, coconuts, birds, and the occasional turtle. They maintained a strict schedule of tasks and duties, ensuring their survival and keeping peace and order.

Their story took a turn when an Australian sailor, Peter Warner, spotted them on the island. Initially thinking it was uninhabited, he was surprised to tind the boys, who were overjoyed at their rescue.