EXPORTS.

Grey River Argus, Volume V, Issue 355, 23 April 1868, Page 2

EXPORTS.

The p. 8. Bruce left Hokitika on Monday at iioon, and arrived at the Buller at 7.30. 30 p.m., after an unusually fast passage of 7 and a half hours. Left Westport the following day at 10 a.m. and called in at Mpkihiimi, where she took \n ten tons of coal. Left Mokihinui at 7.30 p.m., and arrived at Westport at 10. Started fpr this port at 12 noon yesterday, and arrived in the river at Bp. m. She reports the barque Nightingale having been towed in at the" Buller by the Lioness yesterday. The s.s. Murray was at Westport, and the Charles Edward, which left for this port yesterday morning, got as far as the Steeples, but owingto strpug wind and heavy sea had to p it back. The p.s. Bruce has had a very narrow escape on the Hokitika bar. The Wat Coast Times of Tuesday says : — Yesterday morning very little wind was felt on shore, but that it had been blowing out at sea was evidenced plainly enough by the heavy and ugly surf that rolled home. At times the break was really dangerous, too much so for any steamer in port to face, but as intervals of smoother water occurred, it was by carefully watching the opportunity, quite possible to cross the bar with safety ; hence the red flag was hoisted. The signal was first acknowledged by the Challenge, which ran out with the Stormbird in tow, and shortly afterwards was followed by the steamer Bruce, bound to Westport. At first her departure was favored by a capital smooth, but just as she slewed end on to cross the bar (after traversing the long qprth channel), a succession of enormous bljnd rollers sprung up with magical celerity, and well nigh overwhelmed the little boat. She rp.de over th,e first like a duck, but the second tumbled on board a vast body of water that half buried her, and ere she could recover from the shock, the third and heaviest wall of water fell full upon her, and for a moment or two scarce anything could be seen qf the B.ruce but her funnel and bridge. Suddenly she was observed to fall off broadside to. the sea, and list heavily to starboard, and if, whilst in that position, another sea ha.d struck her. the consequences might have been very perious. Fortunately, s,he had been driven astern by the seas clear of the outer break, and thus time was allowed her to get clear of the load \>f water that flooded her decks rail high and gave her the Ijst. The engine, which had been stopped on the lower centre by the shoek — slowly moved ahead again, and the obedient Bruce sopn looked seawards, but a portion of the starbqard paddle-box house having been smashed in, it was considered advisable to fetch the river again, and clear away the wreck ere a fresh start was made. She returned inside, made all snug, and then started a second time, crossed the bar without let or hindrance, and steamed away on her course northwards. "