A PERILOUS VOYAGE TO ENGLAND.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2330, 4 September 1880, Page 2

A PERILOUS VOYAGE TO ENGLAND.

A lady passenger by the Waimate, writing to her relatives in Timaru, gives the following graphic account of her adventurous voyage:—“We left Port Lyttelton April 9, about 10 minutes to 4 o’clock, in the ship Waimate, in charge of Captain Peck. We had rough weather as far as longitude 66° west. On Wednesday, April 27, we sighted land, having run in 18 days a distance that usually occupies six weeks so you see what a speed, we sailed at. We had plenty of rocking and pitching. When we sighted land a strong gale was blowing from the south-west and we were running with the main royal set at 10 knots an hour. At 8 a.m. laud was reported on both bows. This was supposed to be Cape Horn, but it turned out to bo It-De-fenso and Tiego Ramerez. The ship got among the rocks and the wind increasing with a thick fog gathering, all hands were called, the ship was brought to the wind, and top-gal-lant sails and royals were taken in. You can picture the scene. The sheets, braces, and halyards Hying, sails Happing and banging with the breakers right under our lee. Being a smart ship, and everyone working with a will, she soon cleared the land, as wo thought, and thinking we were safe our spirits improved. At about 2 p.m. land and breakers were again reported right ahead, and the ship was immediately hauled to the wind on the port tack. By this time darkness was coming on and the ship was still on the lee shore. After standing for an hour and a half, rocks and breakers were found on all sides close to us. As wc had barely time and room to wear the ship, and stood in imminent danger every minute of being dashed on the rocks, which presented a fearful appearance in the darkness the suspense was agonising in the extreme. We thought wc were again safe, when another lot of rocks were discerned and death stared ns in the face on all sides. No one knew where wc were, not even the captain. Heavy squalls of wind came bursting over the ship with great violence, but strange to .say nothing was carried away. If any of the sails had been blown away nothing could have kept us from going ashore. At last the captain thought he saw a passage ahead through which wc might escape from our perilous position, and he tried to drift along with the aid of the current. Our suspense was intensified as the ship went backing helplessly in the thickness and darkness of the night. Land was now seen on the port bow, and the ship refused to keep to the wind, but went drifting towards the rocks. Another etfort to wear out was made, and another hairbreadth escape was the result. Wc stood out for a little when again more rocks came in view, close on our starboard side, with a heavy sea dashing over them. In fact wc wore in the land of rocks. Another desperate effort for life, and more sails were set. The excitement and fear were agonising for wc thought every moment would bo our last. By the mercy of God’s providence wc sailed clcar after having given up in despair. We were within three or four yards of the breakers and rocks, and right in amongst the seaweed, which surrounded the ship. We at last got into a little hay snd the Captain gave orders to heave the port anchor, which was lot go in HO fathoms of water. Finding we were dragging with 90 fathoms of chain out the other one was let go, and all the chain we had on board paid out, which fortunately held us. These anchors wore got up in 15 minutes, while they usually take live hours, so you sec how the men and passengers worked. The sails were made fast, and orders given to go below, hut no one could sleep, fearing the ship would drag her anchors and go ashore, as the anchorage was bad. Watches were changed every hour, and a good look-out kept. Here we laid for three days waiting for a fair wind. At last the starboard anchor was picked up on Sunday, at G a.m., and we sailed away with thankful hearts to God for delivering us from a position dreadful. After sailing about six miles a lire was seen on shore, and upon close examination, by means of glasses, was discovered to be a native settlement—a wild, uncivilized race of men, who would think nothing of robbing the ship and mimicring all on board. They are all cannibals, so wo only got clear of one danger into another. Several canoes were seen close to shore about a mile distant. The natives were armed with bows and arrows and spears. Some were naked, others had their nv.tivo costume. They seemed very ferocious men. One canoe came off to us, and they shouted for us to go to the spot. The breeze coming at the right moment enabled us to leave them behind. Fire arms and the ship’s gnus wore in readiness. Still wc were not safe. As evening came it brought a calm. During the night the current was driving ns right down upon the island. We could again sec ourselves drifting upon the rocks. All who knew the dangerous position could not rest, but were in a state of anxious suspense. How thankful wc were when the breeze came and took ns olf land, lluw mercifully God had watched over us, and preserved us from so shocking a death, having been close to us on every side. On May 3 at 4 p.m. the last of Cape Horn was seen. In coming up the channel wo were again in danger ; some ships came too close. I shall dread coming to New Zealand.