THE SPRAY, FROM PATEA.

Patea Mail, 30 June 1881, Page 4

THE SPRAY, FROM PATEA.

. The Canterbury Times says—The schooner Spray, Captain Buxton, arrived from Patea,’ in ballast, on 18th June. Thii vessel it will be remembered, got; ashore at Patea, Owing to the tow rope parting as she was : going in with hj cargo of railway iron from Wellington, and sustained severe injury'. The cargo was discharged, and Oaptain Bnxton intended going to Wellington, the nearest port, for repairs ; the weather, hbwever, proven ted him making Wellington, so he ran for this port . ■ The schooner had sand hallast on board; and so badly was she leaking that from leaving Patea to :June 9, the pnmps had to be kept going every two hours, and from that date to arrival* pumping had to be resorted- •'to every hour; the sand ballast coming up through the pumps, the vessel becoming so light that she would not beat to windward. One of the rudder gudgeons was. gone, and the rudder itself was broken, and secured by an iron band and chains. ■ i The Spray , left Patea on May 30, and met with mostunfavourable Weather, having to seek shelter five times. On June 11th, a furious squall struck the vessel from the south-east, and all sail was* furled"' §xceprtbe’topsail, foresail, and staysail, and an made to anchor under Guard’s Bank, but the squalls were too heavy. Was off Wellington Heads on June 15, with the wind, light from the north-east, but as there was a heavy south-east sea running, Captain Buxton was obliged to stand to the southward, and the wind increasing from the north-east, he determined to run fpr/Lyttelton, which was reached at 6 a. m. on the 18th after a very laborious and anxious passage; The schooner will be placed on the slip for repairs.