Three Feilding Men in a Gale.

Feilding Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 280, 2 June 1897, Page 2

Three Feilding Men in a Gale.

♦ — . — _ A THRILLING EXPERIENCE. The yacht " Guinerve," of the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron, and owned by Messrs Monckton, Burton, and Cox, of tfew Zealand, bad a very rough and langerous experience daring the recent stormy weather on this coast. The pacht left Sydney heads at 9 a.m on rbureday, the 6th inst, and everything tvent well until about 6 pta. when off Newcastle. A heavy gale then came on 3uddenly from the south west, and the ressel ran before the wind easterly until the log-line showed about 90 miles from the coast. When this distance was reached, the line was carried away by the force of the sea at about 9 am. on the following day, the 7th instant, and shortly afterwards the foresail, jib, and mainsail were blown to ribbons, and the dingy was washed overboard, Tl • vessel labored and lurched heavily all the time, and was in great danger of capsizing. The only course now left was to keep running before the gale, which was done for about 48 hours, the yacht being partly under water most of the tinre. On the 9th instant the crew managed to set a try sail, which had been kept as au extra sail ; and by its aid, and a considerable abatement of tbe storm, the course of the vessel was changed to tbe westward. Tbe moon was now in her first quarter, and land was dimly seen bearing west which was thought to be Smoky Cape. It was now midnight, and tbe anchor was swung in order to bring tha yacht's bead to tho wind and sea. She then drifted and finally reached the coast off Port Macqumo where, nnder tha direction of Pilot Baird, tbe harbour was entered without further mishap on Saturday afternoon last. During the worst of the storm tlio.se on board shook bands as a parting token, for at that time they did not expect the vessel to weather the gale, or to see land again ; but no lives were lost and after the necessary repairs are effected, the yacht will resume her voyage northward". — The Hastings River Herald, May 20, 1897.