SHIPPING CASUALTIES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2202, 4 October 1907, Page 2

SHIPPING CASUALTIES.

Tho unusual spectacle of two vessels putting back to the jiort of departure, within an hour or two of each other, owing to mishaps, was witnessed last evening. The fine barque Hazel Craig, which left at midday on Tuesday for Wbangarei, to load timber for Australia, was tho first to put in an appearance. Experienced eyes at once detected that the vessel was rather low in the bow, and tho torso “sprung a leak” was the reply to queries. All was well with the Hazel Craig as she left on Tuesday, but she quickly ran into heavy and baffling gales. When a day out tho discovery was made that somo of tho sand ballast had shifted, and that tliero was water making in the hold. Tho pumps wero found to bo unworkable, owing to sand choking the valves, and with the prospect of continued dirty weather to contend against, Captain Savory decided to return to port. Accordingly a course was shaped for Gisborne, which was reached without incident early in tho evening. The leak is apparently not a very serious one, but a survey will be necessary. It is worthy of note that the vessel recently grounded when coming ill to the wharf, but on that occasion it was demonstrated that there was no leakage, the test then made satisfying both tho master of the vessel and the Collector of Customs. The ketch Coronation was the second vessel, arriving in the river at 7.30. This trim little craft sailed oil Saturday for Tairua, and, in common with other shipping generally, encountered westerly gale's and high seas. Captain Page put into Hicks* Bay at 2 a.m. on Wednesday, and rode at anchor in that inhospitable port for the day. At 3.30 in the afternoon, however, tho cables failed to withstand the strain, and both anchors were lost. TKe master deemed it risky to proceed without anchors, and decided to put back to Gisborne. The Coronation, under the staysail, weathered the East Cape at 6 o’clock on Wednesday, and made a good run into port. The tug not being available till 9 p.m., tho master brought his 'ketch into the river under sail.