A STEAMER IN TROUBLE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1257, 19 May 1884, Page 3

A STEAMER IN TROUBLE.

Narrow's scape. [by TKLEOKATH.] Wellington, To-day. The steamer .Hawea on her last trip from New Plymouth to Nelson had a narrow escape from going ashore in Cable Bay. Fropi a statement made by a passenger it appears the vessel left New Plymouth at §.3) on Wednesday, the wind blowing a gale from the N. W. with a heavy sea. As the wind was-a fair one all the foretopaails and the foresails were set, and as the vessel was travelling at good speed every precaution teems to bare men taken. Instead < f the patent log being used, two Were put out. When abreast of Cape Egmont, about 6 o’clock, the 1 sails were taken in and a good look out kept for the land, as it was thought land was seen on port bow, but a> the weather was thick and cloudy no great distance could be seen.- Koowt tng that she had made excellent running, -and that.she would be approaching the land, at 7 the captain put her dead slow, himself and this eeootd officer keeping alook oDt,infaotthey neverleft the deck. The logs were examined‘and -showed-still a considerable distance from Nelson. Notwithstanding that the vessel was kept slow, about four or five miles an hour, the ktoiir df the Knd wssagain seen on the port bow, ind*bil«t tbe captain was -watching for signs of'the land the second

officer reported fond on fho s tar-boar 1 bow. The cap'ain instanly it >i pad ha-, but suddenly, as if convrg < ut of the mist, the land was seen in front and on either aide of the steamer. The order speed astern’ 1 was gi-en, bat it looked as if getting the steamer off shore was an impossibility. Full speed astern in sach a heavy tea meant, cf course, sea after sea con ing over the stern. The sadden plunging of the stern forward, and the force of the waves breaking over the deck, wetting the saloon, made the passengers who were sick get out of their berths and look anxious. The light had to be put out. for the water was coming over the glasses, and the stewards were busy bailing the water from the smoking room on the deck. Everything was done coolly. All the crew were called and the boats got ready. For about an hour the steamer remained backing, shivering from stern to stem with every sea The force of the waves smashed the thick glass in the stern lights, and the carpenter had to block one up to prevent the saloon filling. *>oth the crew, the passengers and the ladies kept very quiet, although anxious. The first soundings taken were five fathoms after qua-ter of an hour’s steaming, six fathoms, then eight fathoms. After an hour’a fight the Hawea got far enough out to be put head to sea. The passengers give the captain and officers, especially the second mate, great credit. The current and westerly wind must have set the vessel over to the east, and thus made Cable Bay.