Narrow Escape of the s.s. Hawea.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 136, 20 May 1884, Page 2

Narrow Escape of the s.s. Hawea.

CRITICAL POSITION.

[Per Press Association.] Wellington, May 19. The steamer Hawea on her last trip from New Plymouth to Nelson had a narrow escape from going ashore in Cable Bay. From a statement made by the passengers it appears that the vessel left New Plymouth at 8.30 on Wednesday. The wind was blowing a gale from N.W., with a heavy sea. As the wind was a fair one, foretopsails and foresails were set, and as the vessel was travelling at a good speed, every precaution seems to have been taken, for instead of one patent log being used, two were put out. When abreast of Cape Egmont, about six o’clock, the sails were taken in, and a good look-out kept for land, as it was thought that land was seen on her port bow, but as the weather was thick and cloudy no great distance could be seen. Knowing that she had made excellent running, and that she would be approaching land about seven o’clock, the Captain put her dead slow, himself and the second officer keeping a good look-out, —in fact they never left the deck. The logs were examined, and showed still a considerable distance from Nelson. Notwithstanding the vessel was kept slow, about four or five miles an hour. The loom of the land was again seen on the port bow, and whilst the Captain was watching for signs of land, the second officer reported land on the starboard bow. The Captain instantly stopped her; but suddenly, as if coming out of the mist, land was seen in front and on either side of the steamer. The order “ Full speed astern ” was given, but it looked as if getting the steamer off shore was an impossibility. Fnil speed astern in such heavy weather had the effect of causing sea after sea to come over the stern by the sudden plunging stern forward against the force of the waves. The sea breaking over the decks and wetting the saloon made the passengers who were sick get out of their berths and look anxious. The lights had to be put out, for the water was coming over the glasses. The stewards were kept busy baling water from the smoking-room, and on deck everything was done coolly. All the crew were called and the boats got ready. For about an hour the steamer remained backing, shivering from stem to stern with every sea. The force of the waves smashed the deck glass in stern lights, and the carpenter had to block one up to prevent the saloon filling. Both crew and passengers and the ladies kept very quiet, although anxious. The first soundings taken were five fathoms, after a quarter of an hour’s steaming six fathoms, then eight fathoms. After an hour’s fight the Hawea got far enough out to be put head to sea. The passengers give the Captain and officers, especially the second mate, great credit. The current and westerly wind must have set the vessel over to the East, and thus made Table Bay.