The Whangaroa.

Manawatu Herald, 3 November 1898, Page 2

The Whangaroa.

STRIKES THE OUTER ROCK OFF KAPITI ISLAND. A NARROW ESCAPE. We are enabled by the report of Captain Cozens, the matter of the " Whangaroa," to give an aoooont of the voyage of this vessel since leaving this port, in which it will be seen that the vessel had rather a perilous trip over. Following are particulars : — Sailed from Foxton for Sydney 19th September, and experienced a succession of strong westerly winds, doriog which shelter was sought under Kapiti Island, and also at Guards Bay until the 25th. when another start was made. Thenoe to arrival at Sydney on Bth October a continuance of head winds were encountered, with at times much sea. Newcastle was reached on 16th, and a departure thence for Foxtoa made on the 22nd. Very coarse weather was encountered on the homeward run, with rough seas, during wbioh the vessel and those on board had a rather uncomfortable time. The vessel hove-to 10 miles west of Mgnawatn Bar at S am. on Monday, 81st, but the wind and sea increasing rapidly, and every appearance of the continuance of bad weather, Captain Coz*ns deemed it imprudent to run down (awards the bar, and shaped a course for Kapiti Island. Arrived .under the Ice of the island, but the full fdrce of the terrific " willy- waughs " was met with, which at limeß took complete charge of the vessel. In one of these tin.:, friendly visitors, the fore gaff, a Btout k»i""jifc spar, 6 inchea jn diameter was broken sbJutnP in . three different placps, which rendered the fore-sail use'esa, and placed the vessel in the disadvantage of having to work to windward in a crippled condition. At about 2.30 p.m. when to leeward of Evans' reefs, another " willy-waugh " struck the vessel, catching her aback and rendering her ut orly helpless. Notwithstanding all that could be done by the master and crew, she drifted stem on to the opter rock, striking it with some force, and carrying away ti.« stem and forefoot. The ye sel was then backed off, pumps started, and as a precaution the long boat hnng over th« side. Happily she was not needed, for it was soon ascertained that the pumps would be able to keop the leak from gaining. Finding further efforts to beat to windward in such a crippled condition useless,, the anchor was dropped in 26 fathoms water, and tho efforts of all hands concentrated in endeavours to repair damage and temporarily stop the teak. This in some measure was accomplished, with the help of cement obtained from the settlers at Kapiti, Messrs MoLeau and Lowe, who were good enough to offer any further assistance in their power, if required. At 2. 80 a.m. on Wednesday signals were made to s.s. " Q '.een of the South " en route from Foxton to Wellington. ' Captain Cozens boarded her and after interviewing Captain Harvey it was arranged that the steamer shonld take the schooner in tow, and return to Foxton before going on to Wellington. The Bar was crossed at 11 a.m , and the whaif reach at noon yesterday, and a most casual inspection of the vessel as sho lays there is suffieent to show that those on board must have had a very trying time.