ARRIVAL OF THIS STEAMER "SOUTHLAND," FROM THE AUCKLAND ISLANDS.

Southland Times, Issue 951, 15 May 1868, Page 2

ARRIVAL OF THIS STEAMER "SOUTHLAND," FROM THE AUCKLAND ISLANDS.

The Southland left Bluff Harbor on March 7fch, for Auckland Islands, at 11.45 a.m. Experienced a very heavy sea, with strong southerly gale; bore up for Lord's River, Stewart's Island; left again on 10th; had a very heavy S.W. gale, with fierce squaUs, and run into Pegasus Bay; eft again on 14th ; found a very heavy sea outside, and the ship shipping a great quantity of water; bore up for Wilson's Bay; left Wilson's Bay at 4 p.m. on the 15th; sighted Disappointment Island at 11.15 a.m. on the 17th, six mues. off; rounded Enderby's Island at 5 p.m., and anchored in Sarah's Bosom at 6.30 p.m. From the 17th to the 19th, lay in Sarah's Bosom; experiencing frightful weather, several times having to gel the steam up for the safety of the ship. On the 30fch, at 5 p.m., steamed to Port Ross; rounded the N.W. cape of the island at 8.15, and steamed through the inside passage between Disappointment Island and the mainland ; proceeded along the coast until abreast of a large cave ; stopped the engines, and lowered a boat. Mr Teer supposed this to be the cave where the General Grant was lost. Found too much sea to venture into the cave with the boat; returned to the steamer and backed her into the cave, as -far as prudent; took soundings and found from 16 to 25 fathoms inside ; finding the divers could nofc do anything on account of the heavy sea, steamed oufc again for North Harbor. On April the Ist had to get steam up, with both anchors down, in North Harbor, for the Bafety of the ship, it blowing a perfect hurricane, wifch a heavy sea coming in. April 3rd —Left North Harbor, nofc deeming ifc a safe place for shelter, on account of heavy sweU, and steamed for Porfc Ross; anchored there at 3 p.m. On AprU the sth left Porfc Ross for the wreck, but found the weather too boisterous; came to an anchor in Carnley Harbor. April the 9th, left Carnley Harbor, and passed through the western passage of Adams' Island, it blowing a hurricane, with a heavy sea ,* found it hripossible to do anything at the cave; proceeded to the end of the strait, and anchored there. April the 13th, got steam up and proceeded to the wreck, but found too heavy a sea on the coast, and had to run for Carnley Harbor. April 14 —Capt. Kirkpatrick, the divers, Chief-Engineer, and Mr Teer, proceeded overland to the cave, to see if it was possible to do anything at the head of the cave, but found ifc impossible, and returned at 5.30 p.m. April 21 —Steamed for Port Ross ; but had to run into Smoky Inlet ' for shelter. April 28 —Got steam up for the J safety of the ship, it blowing a hurricane wifch very fierce squalls. AprU 30 —Left Port Ross, for the Bluff; passed through the channel between Enderby Island and the mainland; had a very heavy westerly gale with heavy sea for two days; hove'to for 'fifteen hours off Stewart's Island, and

arrived at Bluff at noon on 3rd May. The Southland left a six ton boat at Port Ross, near the depot, for the benefit of unfortunates. They also found a plentiful supply of pigs, ducks, and seal ; the latter animal they utilised for fuel, which they found avery good substitute.