INUNDATION OF THE TOWNSHIP OF MOHIKINUI.

West Coast Times, Issue 654, 29 October 1867, Page 2

INUNDATION OF THE TOWNSHIP OF MOHIKINUI.

Narrow Escape o? TnE s.s. Kennedy. We yesterday received the following telegram from our agent at Greymouth :—": — " The s.s. Kennedy wliilst discharging cargo at Mohikinui, on Friday last, broke from her moorings, and was earned stern foremost out to sea. After struggling some time in the breakers and shipping- several heavy seas she managed to get el'\ir away. The Superintendent of Nelson ai.d several officials were on board. The mate of the Kennedy was left on shore." In reference to the above tho " Westport Times" of the 26th instant, supplies us with the material of the following paragraph. It appears thut great excitement was occasioned at the Builcr on Friday night by tho rumored destruction of tho Town of Mohikinui by water, and the total loss of the s s. Kennedy, which it was said had gono down stern foremost. Tho " Westport Times" office was thronged by eager enquirers anxious to ascertain tlie truth or otherwise of the statement, as it was well known that the Superintendent of Nelson and several of the Government officials were on board the Kennedy on their return to that city. It was at last ascertained that the report emanated from a Mr Trimble, of the Nelson Hotel, who had just returned from Mohikinui, and on being applied to by the " Times" reporter, stated Mint he had left Mohikinui on Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock, when owing to the trcmenduous rain that had fallen during the previous'twentyfour houi-3, the greatest part of the town wa9 submerged, whilst a terrific freshet was running down the river. Mr Trimble observed the steamer Kennedy at anchor near tho bank, discharging cargo (?), her mate being on shore, but the Superintendent and the other inembei'3 of tho Provincial Council wero on board. Suddenly tho Kennedy parted from her anchor, and was swept at a pro.ligious rate through the chaunel and into the surf, were she received a tremendous buffeting as sea after sea broke on bo.ird, and once nearly hid the little vessel from view. Fortunately tho fires kept in — and by very great exertion on the part of her crew, and the admirable seamanship displayed by Captaiu Carey, the Kennedy was forced — struggling for Hie — through the broken water, and when Inst seen was steaming away north — evidently en route for Nelson. Such are the facts supplied us by our Northern contemporary. We are glad lo assure our readers of tlie Kennedy's safety, a telegram having been received yesterday by her agents here, announcing ho rsafe arrival at Nelson ; and that she would leave again for West Coast ports, on Thursday next.