ARRIVAL OF THE S.S. WM. MISKIN.

West Coast Times, Issue 359, 16 November 1866, Page 3

ARRIVAL OF THE S.S. WM. MISKIN.

Much to the gratification of the public, aud the great relief of many persons who, having friends on board the missing vessel, were especially interested in her fate, the Wm. Miskin was at daylight on October 29 seen snugly at anchor off the bar. The good news soon spread, causing much congratulation that she had at last turned up, for many believed the littlo steamer had met with a fate similar to that which befel the ill-starred City of Dunedin. Theiv, in the roadstead, Bhe lay, however, safe and sound, looking fresh and smart

as usual, and it was at once evident that nothing extraordinary had caused her very long detention. A lar^e concourse of people assembled on the whai f to witness her arrival in the river, and when she reached hor moorings at. the quay her decks were immediately covered by an eager crowd, of which some wore ou the look-out for friends, but the great majority were infiueni ed by feelings of curiosity mingled with satisfaction, which found vent in extending to Captain Hepburn and his ship's company the heartiest of welcomes. It appears that the William Miskiu arrived off the port at 9.30 p.m. on Sunday, and although it was then quite dark, the Bignalman felt confident, from the position of her lights,and an occasionaTgliinpso of her hulland spars, that she was no other vessel than the Miskin. But in the event of a mistake on his part, he very wisely forbore to spread the report, well knowing the excitement it would occasion, and the proportionate disappointment, providing it turned out to be untrue. By the courtesy of Captain Hepburn, who placed tho ship's log-book at our disposal, we are enabled to lay before our readers the following account of her protracted trip from Dunediu : — On Tuesday, October 9th, the s.s. William Miskin cleared Otago Heads at 2 p.m., with light N.E. winds and pleasant weather, and at 11 p.m. she was abreast the Nuggets, the s.s. Keera having passed her about three hours previously. Arrived at Bluff Harbor Wharf at 9 a-m. the next day, and half-an-hour afterwards the Keera, which had reached there before her, left ; followed at 11.30 a.m. by the Miskin, which in the meantime increased her store of coal by four tons. I At 10 p.m. she was abreast the Solander, steaming against a strong and increasing N.W. breeze. The day ended with a stiff nor-wester and heavy sea. The 11th commenced with a strong N.W. gale, which freshened in squalls, accompanied by constant rain. At 1 a.m. there being every appearance of exceedingly dirty weather, she bore up for Codfish Island, when the wind suddenly fell light and scant, which induced her to keep on her course again. At 11 a.m. Preservation Inlet was on her starboard beam, and as the N.W. gale again sprung up with bitter squalls of rain and hail, she deemed it prudent to run for shelter, and at 5 p.m. brought up in the Inlet, riding to her anchor , with 30 fathoms of chain. At midnight the ' gale blew furiously, accompanied with a deluge of rain, heavy squalls, and thunder and lightning. Throughout Friday, the 12th mst., the gale blew heavily from N.W. and W.N.W., : attended by much thunder and lightning, and very heavy squalls of rain. At noon on the 13th, the weather slightly moderated, whiuh induced Captain Hepburn, who was anxious to make a passage, to get under wiegh and try to reach Chalky Inlet, but the Miskin was met by such a furious gale outside, and a sea which made a clean breach over the vessel, that he was compelled to run for it, and again brought up at his former anchorarge on twen-ty-five fathoms of chain, and to steady the vessel a stern warp was run out to the shore. That day ended with a heavy W.N.W. gale and constant rain. The same weather prevailed throughout the following day, keeping the Miskin to her anchor. To prepare for contingencies, she took on board one boat load ot firewood and filled up water. The 15th commenced with more moderate weather, and at 9 a.m. the steamer was got under weigh, and proceeded down the inlet. On gaining an offing, found the gale blowing with unabated violence, and a heavy head sea running j but under steam and canvas managed to work up to Chalky lulet, and as there was no chance of rounding the West Cape in such weather, she bore up and anchored in Chalky Inlet in two fathoms water. Lav quiet the following day, and got several boatloads of firewood on board. At 2 p.m. on the 17th, made another attempt to put to sea, but barely cleared Chalky Island when the gale and mountainous sea again forced her to turn tail, and run for the ancliorageshehadjustleft. At midnight the increasing gale compelled her to let go the second anchor, and run out stern moorings to the shore. To .quote from the log-book, the day ended with severe N.W. gales, hard squalls, and constanheavy rain. The next days proceedings wer a mere repetition of those which took play the preceding day. Tho gale moderated to . wards noon, and an attempt was made to get to sea, but when clear of the friendly lee alforded by Chalky Island, the full fury of tho gale was encountered, and once more tho Miskin bore up, and came to in her formei position. Got on board some firewood, and made all snug for the night. No change *■ ' the weather took place on the 19 th ; but during the night the gale increased, and tlu< Miskin commenced to drag. At 4 a.m. she was got under weigh, and moved closer to tho weather shore. A fresh supply of firewood was this day cut and taken in. October 20 — Do weather ; crew employed firewooding. In the afternoon the gale took off, and the Captain proceeded in a boat to the mouth of thu inlet to see how the weather looked outside. Found a mountainous ruaning, and a heavy N.W. gale still blowing. On Sunda* the 21st, another delusive change occurred, which induced the Miskin to get her anchor up and proceed to see. This time shi* managed to round the We3t Cape, bi c being met with a heavy north gale, and high sea, she was compelled to run for Peikergill's Harbor, where she anchored in 14 fathoms water, arid moored with lines to tlie shore, On this date the log-book tells us that the fuel having run short, she was unable to proceed on her voyage. Another entry states that the hatches were taken off and tho cargo broached, as the ships stores were exhausted. She remained at anchor until tliir folio whig day, aud in the meantime cut and took in more fire-wood, and filled the bunker.* with coal out of main hold. At noon the win'< shifted to the S W., and the Miskin got under weigh, but was hardly clear of the entrancwhen tho wind chopped into its old quarter. Carried on sail and steam, and at 7.30 p.m. was abreast of Breaksea Sound ; the weather more moderate, which enabled her to keep thehigh 6eas. Next day, the 23rd, when oil Thompson's Sound, she passed tho Lord Ashley steering s uth. At 10 a.m. the* wind freshened from the NNE., so the vessel was hove-to under easy steam and fore and aft canvas. After the suu had crossed the meridian the breeze freshened to a heavy gale, aud at 2 p.m. blew terrifically, thisea making a clear breach over the vessel, sc> once more the helm was put up, and the shelter of Doubtful Inlet made for. Reached tho anchorage at Dean Cove at 9 p.m., let go both anchors in fourteen fathoms water, and ran out quarter lines to the shore. The day closed in with a heavy gale and severe "squalls. Dil - ing the two following days she remained nt anchor, the crew employed cutting firewooi and getting out the last of the coal from tho main hold, and at 9 a.m. on the 26th, the galo having at last blown itself out, she put to Bea, and crept up the coast to Jackson's BaT, where she was compelled lo anchor at noon on the 27th, for the purpose of cutting firewood, not a pound of coal being left. Proceeded to sea again at 5.30 p.m., and at 10 a.m. on the 28th anchored in Okarita roadstead, and the bar being very smooth she senc a boat on shore, and procured ono ton of coal, also a supply of provisions, as both crew and passengers were reduced to a diet of ham and flour. She left Okarita at 1 pm., with light N.E. breezes, and anchored off Hokitika at 10 p.m. Next morning, Cffyfc. Hepburn boarded the p.s. Nelson, and on making known the condition of his vessel was promptly supplied with coal by Captain Whitwell, and at tide time the Miskin weighed anchor and Bafely crossed the bar.

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