THE TIMARU TUGDREDGE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2623, 20 February 1894, Page 3

THE TIMARU TUGDREDGE.

PARTICULARS OF THE VOYAGE AND SUFFERINGS OF THE CREW.

(Newcastle Morning Herald, Feb. 5.) One of Lobnitz's patent sand and pump hopper dredges, which wa3 recently launched for the Timaru (N.Z.) Harbor Board, arrived in port yesterday afternoon unexpectedly from Renfrew, Scotland, en route to Timaru. The passage out has been au exciting and eventful one from the start. At the outset the vessel fell m with such' bad weather in the Channel, that it was found necessary to put into Waterford, and heavy we.ither was had most of the way. In the Bay of Biscay boisterous weather prevailed, and as a consequence the decks were never dry. About 50 tons of coal which were stowed on deck were washed away by the seas, and the decks swept of all moveables. After an unpleasant passage Java was reached, when the vessel coaled. On December 1(5 a few days after leaving Batavia, the first, second, and third engineers were Bussed with fever. On the 19th three firemen and the steward were suddenly attacked by tho fevor. Then the captain was seized with dropsy, and several of the .«iilor.s and the second mate were off duty through fever. After an anxious period the anchored off Hammond Island on December 20. By this time 10 of the ship's company wore laid up with fever. Th»y wore taken to tho quarantine station *t Thursday Island. For 21 days they were kept iuquarantiuofvndrecaved attention from the Board of health officer?, On returning to the vessel the men were in a very weak state of hoalfcli, and on arrival hero yesterday afternoon those on beard presented anything but a healthy appearance. This is not to bo wondered at, when it i 3 known that 1 hey were on v>ry fh'>rt allowances of foo:l. On Saturday all the ' : salt horse " was exhausted, and tho only food on board, it, is ir.idor3tood, hard bibvuits and water. Tito

captain soon after arrival was removed to the Newcastle Hospital for medical treatment. The chief engineer (Mr Barclay) was so weak for want of nourishing food that he was little more than able to crawl about the deck. Indeed, all on board looked as if they had not had a feed for mauy days. If good nourishing food is not supplied at once to the men the captain is not likely to be the only one from the ship to be sent to the hospital. The vessel, which is named " No. 404," ib now en route to Timaru. She is being navigated out under contract and has to be delivered there by the contractor to the Harbor Board. A report of the voyage says :—" Left Renfrew on Sept. 23rd with heavy westerly gales, which increased to violent gales, and continued down the Channel. On the 27th the vessel had to put into Waterford for shelter. She was detained there for nine days owing +o the prevalence of the westerly gales. On October 6th she left Waterford and had fine weather for two days. Then in the Bay of Biscay boisterous north-westerly gales were experienced, in which the little vessel had a bad time. All moveables about the decks were then washed overboard, also 50 tons of coal. On October 12th she steamed into the Mediterranean, and the following clay encountered a frightful gale from the east, which necessitated running in under Tangier for shelter. The voyage was resumed on the 15th, and moderately fine weather was had to Port Said. Here a stoppage was made for coal. Some 80 tons were taken on board. The Canal was entered on the 31st, and a halt waß made at the Bitter Lakes that night, and on the following day Suez was reached. The run down the Red Sea was marked by the prevalence of heavy head winds. Aden was passed on November 10th, and the long stretch acrosß the Indian Ocean was started upon. Comparatively fine weather waß experienced thence to Batavia. On December Ist the vessel dropped anchor off Anger to await orders. She was ordered to proceed to Batavia, where she arrived the following day. About 35 tons of coal were shipped there, and a start made for Newcastle on the 7th. On December 16 Messrs Barclay, Mill,!and Dunlop, the first, second, and third engineers respectively were stricken down with fever. By sheer determination they managed that one or the other should be about the engine room to see that things went on all right. Matters, however, became very serious below, as a few days later three of the firemen had to come • off duty through fever. Captain Robertson, who waß laid up with dropsy, stuck to his post, and had his bed placed on the bridge deck, where he camped, not even going below for his meals. / Mr Patterson, the second officer, was also on the sick list, and the only one who came through without sickness was Mr Kennedy, the 'chief mate, on whom a very heavy strain was placed. Thursday Island was put into for medical treatment on December 20, when 10 but of a crew or 17 all told were sent to the quarantine station, and two were unwell on board. On January 15 a start was made for Newcastle, and the passage down was tedious. Almost every night in the Straits the vessel was anchored, as the captain did not think it wise to proceed at night time. With an occasional blow fine weather was had thence to arrival. The supply of stores decreased so low that some of those on board began to get alarmed." The arrival of the vessel iu port yesterday was hailed with delight by all on board, who hope never to have to experience such a voyage again. After taking in coal and provisions here the vessel will proceed to New Zealand.