SHIP IN PERIL OFF SYDNEY HEADS

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 924, 24 June 1903, Page 4

SHIP IN PERIL OFF SYDNEY HEADS

THE LIFEBOAT LAUNCHED

A sensational incident, involving the fate of the fine new American schooner Resolute, from Gray’s Harbor, with a cargo of timber, occurred off bydney Heads on Friday, June u. For two hours the vessel was in peril, but eventually she arrived safely in port, and anchored in Watson’s Bay. Tho Resolute, after experiencing the recent violent gales, was being towed to port, when the towlme suddenly parted, Tho vessel was then about a-quarter of a mile from the bead, and the weather conditions were very boisterous. Tho master at once gave the order to let go both anchors, and tho order was promptly obeyed. Unfortunately, however, tho anchors fouled, with the result that tho vessel continued to dritt closer and closer to the huge rocks forming the North Head. Just prior to the accident a blue light had been burnt as a signal for a pilot, and the pilot steamer, Captain Cook, was in the act of coming out of the harbor when the towlines carried away. Tlie master of the pilot steamer, recognising what had happoned, at once sent his vessel full speed ahead, and upon arriving near the Resolute endeavored to get a lino aboard, but without success. As the schooner continued to drift for about two hours towards what appeared to be certain destruction, the pilot steamer fired a gun, as an instruction to those on shore to man and launch tho lifeboat. The signal was at once recognised on shore, and there was quito a stir among tho residents of tho quiet waterside township of Watson’s Bay, numbers of whom rushed from their homes to ascertain tho namo of tho ship in distress. Tho lifeboat was launched with a full crew within a very short space of timo, and they battled bravely with the strong south-easterly gaio and heavy easterly seas. In the meantimo the steam tug Advanco had succeeded m getting a second lino aboard the Resoluto. Several attempts had previously been made, hut owing to tho mountainous seas she was unable to steam sufficiently close to the sailing vessel. “ I reckon she was not more than two eablo lengths trom tao rocks at the time,” remarked the master of tho Advanco to a Herald reporter, • ana in less than lialf-nn-hour she would have become a total loss.” The Resolute was kept head to wind and sea, hut she was dragging her anchors all the time. The Advanco at once resumed towing, and entered Port Jackson at a-quarter to seven a.m.