PORT OF HOKITIKA.

West Coast Times, Issue 276, 11 August 1866, Page 4

PORT OF HOKITIKA.

The ketch Flying Squirrel arrived in port yesterday, from Motucka, Blind Bay, which which port she left on the 6th instant, with moderate SW. weather. She was towed in by the Lioness, and brings a cargo of potatos. This little vessel has experienced rough usage since she left Dunedin, on June 7th, with a full cargo for Okarita. Sho was buffetted about until tho 16th ere she arrived in that roadstead, and then was driven to sea again by heavy weather, which kept her hove- to for seventeen days. During the gale she lost all liar canvas and carried away the main boom, which renderedit imperative that shelter should be sought in some port whore the damages could be repaired ; and as she ,was severely strained, it was determined to run for Nelson. There the cargo was landed, and found to be so much damaged that it was sold by auction. The ketch was placed on the cradle, overhauled, and repaired. When ready for sea she was sent across to Motueka for a cargo. Her subsequent career, is as above. The 8.8. Thane left Wanganui, N. I. on the 3rd inst., with light airs from the westward and fine weather. For two days there was no change, but on the 4th, when off Capo Farewell, the breeze freshened and in a few hours increased to such a gale that she was compelled to run into Blind Bay for shelter where she came to an anchor under Totaranui at 3.30 p.m. The next day the same weather prevailed, which made the steamer ride so uneasily that she snapped her chain. The best bower was at once let go and to it she rode all night, and the weather clearing up next morning she recovered her lost anchor, and put to sea at 10.30 a.m. Farewell Spit was rounded at 1.45 p.m. in the teeth of a stiff westerly breeze,which, by the time she was up the Cape, had so much increased that it was deemed advisable to' bring up under Farewell, tho s.s. Wallaby keeping her company. On the 7th at 9.45 a.m., she weighed, withlight S.W. weather, and afc 5 p.m. on the Bth anchored off Grey River. The next morning, she attempted to run inside, and got as far as the outer break, when the danger signal was hoisted on shore, She at once put about, and stood to sea again. For several hours she dodged about under easy steam, hoping for a change, which not occurring, she ran down to Hokitika, arriving abreast of the town at 1 p.m. The next morning, she stood in, and having taken a pilot, crossed the bar against an exceedingly heavy fresh, and reached the wharf safely. The Thane brir.gs 49 head of cattle, 113 sheep, 2 calves, 17 pigs, and a fe-.v tons of merchandise. She landed her stock yesterday in fair condition. Telegraphic communication was received from Greymouth yesterday, to the effect that the bar was in a bad state There were two channels — one running north, the other south, both very bad for towing. Yesterday morning the scene from the North ; Spit was extremely • exciting, and quite reI minded us of bygone times, when Bensation j seekers visited the flagstaff every day on j principle, and seld&a failed in obtaining matter for comment on their return. Owing to the late rains the river was considerably swollen, and even at high-water rushed with astounding violence and rapidity through the narrow gateway between the heads. In fact there was the old hill to climb for vessels entering, which months ago put the Bruce upou her mettle, and very nearly numbered the poor old Ballarat amongst the things of the past. There was, however, not much sea on, and this determined both the Challenge and the liioness to run outside for a couple of vessels visible in the offmg, one being the Bonnie Lass, from Lyttolton, and the other the ketch Flying Squirrel, from the southward . The Challenge first secured her tow, by fastening to the first-named vessel, at once steamed for the entrance, and passed the outer break safely, but on reaching the narrows found the rip so terrific that she could hardly N make the slightest headway against it. In the meantime, to help the tug, the schooner set her canvas, and there being a great scope of towline out, the former felt the full force of the "freshet" some time before 'the latter, which as there was a fresh W.N.W. breeze blowing, was driven close up to the Challenge ere that vessel had cleared the rip. Being thus caught in her turn by the outflow on the port bow, she (before the head sails could be got in) was sheared over towards the South Spit, where she took the ground, ABd still, wo are sorry to say, remains hard and 'fast although the Challenge did all that a boat could d^ t0 release her * "Pi B i >nni^ bvuiMuhono nthe eltrem i. t 5r5 r °i^ 9 Sout s Soil- W r^-t- being anything but a good Te and i£« I the whole of her cargo m'SSa fo^V ied ere her removal is Fecfced £ u% t, are of opinion that

water, the h.s. Stuv of tho livening left llie wharf and was piloted safely across tho bar by .Captain Tumbull, who sounded on his way out and no where found loss than three fathoms water. This decided him upon returning in with the s.s. Thane, which for several hours lud been boxuauling- about, evidently unwilling to risk entering without a pilot. As soon therefore as tho two steamers met, the Harbor Master was transferred from the one to the other and immediately turned her head to the bur, well knowing that every moment was pi'ccious ; for tho tide was falling rapidly, und the " rip " between tho Spits increasing in rapidity. But, in the meantime, the Lioness having secured • her prize was now closo in, and this compelled the Thane to wait until sho had entered. We never before saw tho Lioness so put to it as sho was when tho full force of the river current mot her, and, although full steam was used, it was for some time extremely problematical whether she would not bo compelled to slue round and make for the roadstead again. Inch by inch, however, she surmounted ihe difficulty, and, as she occasionally shot ahead, very nearly dragged the unfortunate little hooker behind her under water. In fact, ouce or twice a wall of water absolutely towered above the bows of the ketch, and the Lioness — which, by this time, had gamed stiller water inside — was compelled to ease her steam, taking the Squirrell gently through it;' otherwise we verily believe she would havo gone right under, but skilfully managed both vessels reached the wharf safely. As soon as those on board tho Thane saw the channel clear, her engines were turned ahead full speed, and the bar rapidly neared. j The approach of this vessel was watched with ! much interest by the crowd on shore, especially as Ihe signal-man |" doused" tho red flag and ball and warned her by signal not to attempt the channel, the tide being so far gone. No heed, however, was paid to it, and onwards came the Thane uuder full head of steam, passed the outer break, and reached the "piuch" without any apparent difficulty. Here sho hung for**a moment, and it was evidently touch and go with her, when, at tho very nick of time, a curling green sea rolled up behind, struck her full upon the stern, nnd sent her several fathoms ahead through the worst port of the passage, and although the old boat once discovered an evident inclination to turn round and " have a look at it," she was happuV kept end on, and entered the river in famous style. Whilst crossing tho bar, the lead was kept going on board the Thane, and although it. was nearly two hours after high water, nothing less than two fathoms and a half was found.