UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPT TO SAVE THE PETREL.—CAPSIZE OF THE PILOTSTATION LIFE-BOAT.- NARROW ESCAPE OF NINE MEN.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume V, Issue 255, 21 April 1865, Page 2

UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPT TO SAVE THE PETREL.—CAPSIZE OF THE PILOTSTATION LIFE-BOAT.- NARROW ESCAPE OF NINE MEN.

(From tlie Southern Cross.) It will be remembered that last Monday week we informed our readers that the cutter Petrel had been stranded near Ivaipara Heads on the West Coast, and that Captain Beck, her master, had returned to Onohunga to obtain assistance. It appears that on application to the Superintendent, his Honor gave orders that Captain Laurie, one of the pilots at Manukau Heads, should proceed to the spot where the Petrel was in the new pilot boat, which is built on the lifeboat principle, and has proved herself a wonderful buoyant boat. Accordingly on Thursday morning last, at 9 a.m., Captain Laurie, Captain Beck, a carpenter, and six other men left Paratutai in the life- boat, taking

with them warps, anchors, screwjaeks, &c., and aP implements necessary for the work in hand They started with a fair wind (S.W.) for some fourteen njxies, when Captain Laurie asked Captain Beck if they ought not to be near the Petrel. Cantain Beck replied that he had told his Honor that the distance was twenty miles, but that he did not think it was so much, and that they would smht the wreck in about three or four miles. They went on, however, till about twenty minutes of sundown, when the Petrel was descried lyi n <r on the beach, about nine miles from Kaipara Heads amd thirty from Paratutai. The life-boat was then about four miles south of her, and seeing they would not be able to fetch her that n i»ht before dark. Captain Laurie thought it would-be $5 well to try and get ashore for the night in the boat. Accordingly they pulled inshore, but finding the sea breaking in a frightful manner they pulled out again. Captain Laurie then put it to the men whether they would pull ashore at the risk of their lives, or remain at sea for the ni-dit where, as the wind was freshening, they stood a chance of being blown out to sea without water or food. After some consultation the men decided to attempt to land. Accordingly the boat’s head was turned inshore, and most of the men commenced to strip, anticipating a capsize in the passage. When within, half a mile of the shore an enormous crested wave was seen rolling after the boat, and all prepared for the. inevitable. When it struck the boat it took her up and turned her over end for end, at the same time precipitating men, screwjaeks, lines, and ropes into the sea. As soon as they rose to the surface Captain Laurie gave orders that all hands should stick to the boat as best they could, which (save one man who clung to the mast) they all did. Wave after wave passed over them, each time washing them away from the boat, sometimes turning the boat on its right side and sometimes bottom up, but they managed to hold on till, after about half an hour, they reached the shore, Captain Laurie and another man being so much exhausted as to need the assistance of the others in getting ashore. After resting, and watching for the clothes they had cast off to come ashore, they proceeded alon'» the beach to the Petrel, where tliev found a man who had a fire, and they dried themselves. Capt. Beck, who had here a large quantity of dry clothes on hoard tho Petrel, succeeded in making' himself comfortable, but did not offer any of bis things to relieve the others. b

Nest day Captain Laurie and his companions proceeded on their walk for Auckland, haring seen that the Petrel was a complete wreck, stem and stern-post being gone, besides other damage. They arrived at night at Ivoperenui, a native settlement, about eight o clock, footsore and weary, having no boots and no hats, and otherwise being' very imperfectly clothed. They were taken in by the natives there and treated most kindly, receiving food and drink from them, of which latter they stood much in need after their long trudge through the sand. Next morning (Saturday) they proceeded on their tramp, leaving Capt Beck at Koperenui, and arrived thoroughly done up at “Long Bill’s” house, an ex-publichonse on the Great North Eoad, where, not being able to obtain an entrace, they slept in the stable! 1 At daylight on Sunday the men started fop Henderson’s mill to obtain some food, being hungry, while Captain Laurie and the carpenter proceeded on towards Oneguuga. , They reached Mr Wallace’s house at nine o’clock, where they got some breakfast, and were very kindly and hospitably treated, and afterwards driven to Onehunga in Mr Wallace’s cart, where they arrived at one p.m., much fatigued, but thankl'idfor their wonderful preservation.