AFTER MANY YEARS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 2015, 14 August 1919, Page 3

AFTER MANY YEARS.

PASSING OF THE KENNEDY. A FAVOURITE CRAFT. With the passing of the Anchor Shipping and Foundry Company’s steamer Kennedy to the newlyformed Wellington Company, an interesting link with the early history of Port Nelson disappears (states the Colonist). The little craft leaves a record of 53 years service behind it, and has had an interesting and varied career. Built in Sydney by the A.S.N. line for the Queensland river service, she commenced her sea life by running on a reef during her maiden voyage, and returned to Sydney to re-fit. As far back as 1866 this incident occurred, and when repairs had been made she was bought by the Nelson firm of Edwards, Bennett and Symons. The late Air John Symons subsequently designed the present Anchor flag, and ran the vessel, along with others, under the name of the Anchor Line of Steam Packets. The Wallaby and Lyttelton were other boats running under the same flag at the time. Subsequently the Lyttelton was lost at the French Pass when under the control of another company. On the death of Air Symons, the Kennedy and other vessels were purchased by the Anchor Shipping Company, which in 1891 became merged in the Anchor Shipping and Foundry Co., Ltd. WEST COAST GOLD RUSH. When she arrived in Nelson in 1806, the Kennedy was a threemasted vessel, with a centre board, and was a very tidy-looking craft, with graceful lines. In those days communication with the West Coast was limited and tjie Kennedy quickly became a favourite passenger boat, being fitted with accommodation for a good number of passengers. The gold rush on the West Coast was then at its height, and the Kennedy always left the port crowded with passengers. There were no restrictions in those days to the number of passengers allowed to be carried, and gold seekers gladly paid the £lO fare to get to the “land of promise,” Those who were unable to obtain a berth were glad enough to sleep on the coal bunker, using a sack as a mattress, while the less fortunate ones were quite content to put up with “standing room” only during the 36 hour trip to Greymouth. So anxious were men to get to the “Golden West” that it is recorded that when the crowded vessel was leaving the wharf those left behind would “jump for it,” and clamber up the sides of the vessel. As was natural, a varied crowd was carried in those days, and on one occasion a hangman was a passenger to Hokitika, where a murderer was to pay the extreme penalty. It had been found impossible to secure the services of a hangman, but eventually a prisoner undergoing a sentence in the Wellington gaol was enticed by the prospect of a free pardon to undertake the gruesome job. The gallows, a big wooden structure, made in Wellington, was also taken down by the Kennedy. RECORD TRIP TO WESTPORT. The first master of the Kennedy was the late Captain Whitwcll. Among subsequent masters of the vessel were Captains A. Palmer, Quanee, E. S. Williams, Conway, Dillon, Creakh, and Bruce (all deceased), Furneaux, Viekerman, Wiklman, Stevens, Stuart, Baggett, and Henry. The greyhound of the fleet in the eithties, the Kennedy, which then carried a good spread of canvas in addition to steam, made some quick trips while on the Coast run. On one occasion she is credited with making the fastest trip recorded between West port and Nelson. Soon after leaving the former port she picked up a S,W. gale, which carried her right into Nelson in 14 hours. “CROSSING THE BAR.” Naturally, the Kennedy was not unacquainted with the bars of the Coast, and has on several occasions been in difficulties. About two years after her entrance into the Coast service she went ashore on Hie Hokitika bar, gounding fast for about two weeks. When refloated, the bottom was found to he severely strained, and as in those days there was no facilities for overhauling her nearer home, she was taken to Sydney, making the outward passage in seven days, and the return in eight. At a later period in her career, while tied up to the hank of the Alokihinui River (there was no wharf at tire time) a Hood came down and washed the vessel away. There was a very anxious time for an hour or two, as sufficient steam was not available to work the steering gear, but by good seamanship the craft was saved. In addition to also being ashore at Karamca and Greymouth, last June the Kennedy had a very exciting experience while in the Buller roadstead. The ejectors feed-pipe carried away, and thcwessel being short, of coal, Captain Baggett decided to attempt to work the bar, although there was a very rough sea running at the time. Heavy seas knocked the vessel out of the channel. The captain, however, got her out of her perilous position with the loss of one lifeboat and some decking, and made to sea. Late in the afternoon a further attempt was made to get into port, and after a trying experience with heavy seas, and with the signals against an entry, this was accomplished with the engine-room about half-full of water. The second engineer, the mate, and a sailor all sustained slight injuries while the boat was getting the gruelling in the heavy sea.

In all the tight corners she has found herself, her. twin screws eia-

a bled her to overcome the difficulties of the moment, otherwise there is little doubt she would have been at the bottom long ago. During later years the boat has been lengthened, and is the only vessel of the original fleet left.