THE CENTENNIAL. AN EXCITING INCIDENT.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 379, 22 June 1889, Page 4

THE CENTENNIAL. AN EXCITING INCIDENT.

It would be difficult to have picked out a worse run of bad weather in any year than has prevailed between this coast and New Zealand, and along the coast of the latter colony, for the past month. The Centennial left Sydney upon her maiden trip (since alterations) on the 9th of May, and she returned to port yesterday afternoon. Between these periods gales have been the rule, and fine weather the rare exception. It is quite true, as a passenger observed upon arrival, " One might travel for twenty years and not again experience so much of gales and v hurricanes'between the ports the Centennial called at." ]Not only did it blow and the sea run mountains high while crossing from Sydney to New Zealand, but between the intercoastal ports matters were equally rough, and in the up passage from Gisborne to Auckland the steamer was hove to for eighteen hours in a most terrible gale. That she is a good sea boat is cleaily proved by the fact that bhe has arrived in port without having had her decks swept of all boats and movables. Water certainly found its way below both fore and aft, but every possible attention was paid the passengers to alleviate as far as possible their discomfort. After leaving Auckland a mosc unfortunate accident) occurred. The report of the voyage as supplied is here appended, but the fact that the steamer grounded at the North Cape of New Zealand is not mentioned. The passengers, however, have a lively recollection of the occurrence. At about 10 o'clock upon the night after leaving Auckland, the steamer was close up to the North Cape. It was the second officei^'s %yatch on deck, when suddenly the vessel is described as having bumped four or five times, seemingly on a sandy bottom. The bulk of the passengers had retired for the nighfc, but were quickly out, and, by way of precaution, took to fastening lifebelts around themselves. The captain was quickly on deck. All the boats were ready for launching at a moment's notice, and it is stated that the port lifeboat was put out. The night was not stormy, though dark. After going full speed astern the steamer came off of what is described as apparently a little sandy bay. It was at first thought that it would be advisable to go south along the coast and into Russell ; but upon being further satisfied that the ship was nob making water, she was put again upon her course to this port. The steamer Centennial left Auckland for Sydney midnights on Monday, 3rd** June, a strong easterly gale still blowing, rounding the North Cape at 10.30' p.m. on the 4th instant. Experienced moderate weather to 66 deg long., thence to ■within 100 > miles of the Australian coast strong head gales, with rain squalh of hurricane force, preventing the ship from making any headway /for 48 hours. Entered Sydney Heads at 3.15 p.m. yesterday and went up to Messrs Mcllwraith and McEachevn's Wharf. She is 'to leave' for Wellington, Lyttelton, and punedin on ', Saturday next.— "Sydney Morniug Herald 1 ," j