DESPATCHES TO ADMIRAL FAIRFAX.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 356, 3 April 1889, Page 5

DESPATCHES TO ADMIRAL FAIRFAX.

In despatches forwarded to Admiral Fairfax by Captain Kane of H.M.s. Calliope, it is stated that the reason why Captain Kane deemed ie advisable to proceed to Sydney was that he had lost all his boats and all his anchors excepb one. Under these circumstances, he thought that to remain in Apia harbour would imperil the satety of his ship, and accordingly he decided to proceed to Sydney. The Calliope left for Sydney on Thursday, March 21st. Captain Kane had not been able to obtain a iull supply of coal, and expressed his intention of reaching- Sydney in about fourteen days. The Calliope would therefore be kept under easy steam, and news of her arrival may be expected on Thursday next. In his despatches Capt. Kane states that during the hurricane the Calliope was within two fathoms of the reef when he decided to slip his cables and steam out to sea. The Calliope was under steam for twelve hours, making at the rate ol 8-10 th knots per hour, so fierce was the hurricane blowing thafc^ she successfully weatheiecl the storm "as already recorded, and returned to port to pick up her anchors, These, however, could not bo found, having probably been buried in the sand, and Captain Kane then pioceeded to Sydney. Captain Kane reports the loss of one seaman, but says nothing about the loss of a gun, as mentioned in our report of Saturday last.