MIXED UP WITH A WATERSPOUT

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 2097, 29 March 1889, Page 3

MIXED UP WITH A WATERSPOUT

When the bobooner Nellie M. Slade (which arrived In Melbourne from Boston a few days ago) wag on the Equator the wind died away altogether and the vessel lay becalmed £t 6 p.m., while there was scarcely a ripple on ths water, a waterspout suddenly rosa a short distance ahead of the schooner on the port bow, and almost immediately began working towards the vessel. Ab there was absolutely not a breath of wind nothing could be done to avoid what appeared t> be almost certain destruction, and those on board could only stand by nnd await their fate, nu ordeal the|despera eness of which woids cannot exaggerate. Within a very short epaoa cf time the oraih came. Ab it hnppened, however, the spout fortunately struck the vessel well forward, and although it appeared as if she was doomed, being completely covered with wact, she qaloklj- rose again. Ab soon bb those on board had reoovered themselves It was ascertained that the foremast had (received the weight of the water. The sptr, although & good one. was snapped eff ckae to the deck, and in its fall the Rear attached to it brought down the main topmast and carried awsy the j.bboom. The damage, though considerable, was nothing to what bad baen expected, surprise being felt that the vesßel had not been broken by the foroe of the water. For eome time afterwards the sea presented the sppaarance of a boiling oauldron ; and in order that the vessel might not be Injured by the wreckage no time was lost in outting It away, the work being successfully accomplished. As the calm continued for eight hours afterwards every exertion was put forth to get some head canvas on to the sohooner, so that advantage might be taken of a bretze springing np to get away from the violnity, the weather at the time being close and overoait, and the appearanoe of the sky denoting the likelihood of farther wsterspoais arising. Eventually the canvas mentioned was got on the ship, and Captain Foxtera deolded to make for Bermada, to have repairs effected. The Island wgs 3000 miles distant, but the voyage was accomplished in safety.*