TOWED TO PORT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 77, 27 April 1909, Page 2

TOWED TO PORT.

BARQUE WKATHERSFIELD'S NARROW ESCAPE. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Monday. The barque Wcathersfield, after' a ■week at sea. put back in port again in a heavy north-westerly. On Thursday and Friday last she lost some canvas, and her master decided to put hack for a re-lit. In the height of the storm, which was one of the woiwt gales known in the Straits, she swept close to the Hokio beach.

Early on Saturday morning she sighted the low sandhills on the coast 'two miles away, and the captain cast anchor. The vessel rode there all day, dragging slightly.

The stock of the port anchor having carried away, signals of distress were flown and detonators fired. The wind veered round off the land, rendering the situation of the barque less precarious. Later the little steamer Wootton came up and stood by for some time, and then went to Foxton to make 'he position known and send a message for the tug Teraiwhiti to be despatched.

Being unable to get n response from the signal station the steamer returned anil stood by all night. Meanwhile parties on shore observed the signal Hying from the barque and word was sent to Wellington. The Jerawhiti went out and experienced heavy weather, taking four hours to cover eighteen miles.' At daybreak on Sunday she sighted the barque and took her in town at 4.20 p.m., reaching Wellington at 3 this morning. The Weathcrstiehl wl i„ going (,> Suva, to be ! turned into a coal Uulk.

During the gale a seaman named ilor rison fell from the rigging and was seii ously injured.