NARROW ESCAPE OF THE HAWEA.

Dunstan Times, Issue 1160, 23 May 1884, Page 3

NARROW ESCAPE OF THE HAWEA.

The steamer Hawea, on her last trio from New Plymouth to Nelson, had a narrow escape from going ashore in Cable Bay. Fr m a statement made by a passenger, it appears that the vessel left New Plymouth at 8.30 on Wednesday last the 14th iust. t'he wind was blowing a gale from the N.W., with heavy sea. As the wind was fair, one of the toretop sails and the fori sail were set, and as the vessel was travelling at a good speed, every precmtion seemes to have h“en taken. Instead of one parent log being asm!, two were put nut. When abreast of Cape Egmont, about 6 o’clock, the sails were taken in, and a good look out kept for land, as it was thought land could be seen on the port bow, but as the weather was thick anil coudy, no great distance could be seen. Knowing that sne had made excellent running, at 7 the captain put her dead slow, himself and the second officer keeping a look out; in fact they never left the deck The logs were examined, and showed the vessel to be still a considerable distance from Nelson. Notwithstanding ■that the vessel was kept going slow at •about.four or five miles an hour, the loom of the land was again seen on the purr, uow, and whilst the captain was watching for •signs of land the second offi icr reporte I land On the starboard how. Tbe captain instantly stopped her, but suddenly, ai if coming out of the mist, land was snnin front and on either side ot the steam r. Toe order full speed astern was given, but it looked as if getting tbe steamer off shore was an impnsdbili.y Full speed astern m such a heavy sea meant of course sea after .sea coming over the stern, the w..ves breaking over tbe deck and wetting the sal on male nassen eis. who were forced to get out of their berths aud looked anx'ona. The lights ha I to be put ont, and the stewards were busy bail ng the water from the smoking room on deck. Everything was done coolly. All the crew were calle I and the boats got ready. For about an hour the steamer remained backing, shivering from stem to. stern with every sea. The .force of the waves smashed the thick glass r in the stern lights, and the c rpenter had to block on« up to prevent the saloon filling. Both ciew, male p iss"ngers, and ladies kept very quiet, although anxious. The first aou actings taken were five fathoms, after a quarter of an hour’s steaming six fathoms, then eight fatho ns After an hour’s fight the Hawea got far enough ont to be put head to the sea. The passengers give the captain and officers, especially the second mate, great credit. A cuTent and an easterly wind must have set the vessel over to the east, and thus made Cable Bay.