ARRIVAL OF THE S.S. PHOEBE.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XII, Issue 124, 28 May 1877, Page 2

ARRIVAL OF THE S.S. PHOEBE.

Last evening the lights of a steamer were Been in the offing, and as it was known that there was no steamer expected at that time there was a considerable atnouufc of speculation as to what the vessel could be. On her entering the harbor it was seen that she was the old Phoebe, and various were the conjectures as to what she could want here. On arrival at the wharf it was found that she had put in here short of coal and provisions, and with the loss of her sails. The following is the report of the passage kindly supplied to our reporter by Capt. Kennedy:— "The s.s. Phoebe, bound for Sydney, left Wellington at 5 p.m. on Monday, the 21st inst, with three saloon passengers and 30 in the steerage. She cleared the Straits on Tuesday morning, with a strong breeze and heavy sea from the westward; towards night the wind moderated, but backed to the northward and increased in strength until 10 a.m. on; Wednesday, when, during a heavy squall with much rain, it hauled to W.S.V?., but in the evening backed again to the north, raising a very ugly sea. At 8 a.m. on Thursday the barometer, which had fallen from 2990 on the previous to 29-40 in less than twelve hours, gave still greater indications of a severe gale. The fore and main trysails were close reefed, and other preparations made. At 10 a.m. a terrific squall and shift of wind to S.W. came, which, however, only lasted about five minutes, when it came on to blow furiously from the N.W., accompanied with thunder and lightning and very confused sea the barometer standing at 2910. Hove the ship to At 4 p.m. the fore trysail blew away, the gale and sea increasing; at midnight similar weather; at 2-30 a.m. on Friday the main trysail blew away, and the ship fell off broadside to the sea; put the helm up and ran before it. The sea was then terrific, and the force of the wind such as no canvas could stand; continued to run until midnight, when the sea somewhat abated, and finding from the extraordinary weather experienced that there was not sufficient coal on board to make the passage to Sydney, determined to run for this port, where she arrived at 7-30 p.m. yesterday." Captain Kennedy informs us that during his long experience he has never encountered a fiercer gale. The old Phoebe, which is well known as a first-class sea boat, did not belie her reputation, but behaved splendidly throughout. She will replenish her coal, and get some necessary repairs effected to her engine pipes and sails, when she will proceed on her voyage. We observe that Captain Kennedy is in conimaud, Mr Webster chief officer, and Mr Pollock, late of the Taraiuki, cuief engineer. The Phoebe will sail for Sydney direct at 11 a.m. on Wednesday.