THE WHALING BRIG AMHERST.

Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 168, 13 February 1868, Page 3

THE WHALING BRIG AMHERST.

LOG OF THE VOYAGE FEOM THE BLUFF HARBOII TO THE AUCKLAND ISLANDS AND EETUHN. {From the Inoercargill Times.)

The above vessel, owned in this port (Bluff Harbor), having attracted considerable attention through the late rescue of the survivors of the ill. fated ship, General Grant—wrecked at tho Auckland Islands—a digest of her log book will probably be found interesting:— Oct. 29, 1857—-The Amherst being all ready for starting on a whaling expedition, the anchor was weighed early this morning, and the vessel dropped out of the harbor, and crossed Eoveaux Straits, anchoring at Murray Eiver, Stewart's Island at 5 p.m. Oct 30—Got the vessel under weigh early, and proceeded to Patterson's Inlet, where the anchor was again let go, at 9 a m.

Oct. 31, and Nov. I—Experiencedl—Experienced stormy westerly weather, remained at anchor, boats sent on shore to cut and and bring off quantities of firewood; at midnight a severe south-westerly gale was experienced, during which the starboard anchor was let go, but the chain parted in the attempt; got a spare anchor up out of the hold and bent it on, and let go in 75 fathoms. Erom Nov. 2 to Nov. 9—Detained at anchor through incessant bad weather. On the 10th inst. the brig Jane run back for shelter, having sustained some damage and shifted her ballast, through the stormy weather she experienced in attempting to clear the straits. Compared chronometers with this vessel.

Nov. 10 —Got underweigh and stood for the westward, but encountered a strong head wind which compelled the vessel to run for Port William and anchor.

Erom 11th to 16th—Still at anchor in consequence of a continuance of westerly weather ; in the interval the vessel was hove on the beach and cleaned. 16th—Weather having moderated weighed anchor and stood for the straits, at noon, the Solanders bore W. byN.

17th—A boat was lowered after black-fish, but the fish became startled at the appearance of the vessel and disappeared. Solander Island bearing N. by W. at noon, it commenced to blow hard from the north-west-reefed topsails.

18th—Wind fell light and vessel drifting to the southward.

19th, at noon—Breeze freshened, the vessel running to the southward and bearing up for the Auckland Islands. Bar. 29.10.

21st, 3 p.m. —Sighted Cape Lorrett on the west side of the Auckland Islands, run close round to make the east entrance of Carnly Harbor, the tide running out could not enter, wore ship round and stood to the northward, looking for anchorage on the east side; worked close into a bay, and perceived some pigs feeding on the shore ; run up towards Port Eoss under easy sail, keeping close into the land. On sighting Enderby Island the man at the masthead observed a sail coming out from the beach towards the vessel, supposed to be the cutter Eanny, from Invercargill, but on a nearer approach it proved to be a ship's boat with six men in it, the boat boarded the vessel when the crew proved to be part of the survivors of the ship General Grant, wrecked at this island in May, 1866, these men reported three others and one woman on shore on Enderby Island; the men were taken on board and the boat in tow—on reaching the deck the unfortunate castaways appeared to be bewildered by excitement at their deliverance—the vessel was then worked up to the anchorage in Port Eoss, at 10 p.m. Nov. 22 —Fine clear weather, moored the ship in 30 fathoms, sent two boats away for seals, and a third to fetch the remainder of the castaways, consisting of three men and one woman on board. They returned in the boat at noon ; the sealing boats also returned in the evening filled with seals' blubber.

Nov. 23 —Hove up one anchor, and shortened the chain of other, and made preparations for leaving. Nov. 24—A1l being on board at 5 p.m. got under weigh and proceeded to sea, bound for the Macquarie Islands for sea elephants. Nov. 27—Discovered the chronometer was in disorder, and the wind increasing much from the westward with thick weather; the course was altered and she again stood for the Auckland Islands. Nov. 28 Encountered a hard southerly gale, hove the vessel to with her head to the westward. B r 29.0 at 8 p.m., gale still ebntimiinr:. *:h

vessel drifting to the northward; at noon the gale moderated, and towards night had become a steady breeze. Nov. 30—Fine clear weather ; wind moderate, N.E. and E.S.E.

Dec, 2—2 a.m. sighted South Cape of the Auckland Islands, bearing N.E. about 30 miles; commenced trying out the seal blubber obtained at Port Ross.

Dec. 4—moderate breezes ; fine clear weather. Cape Lorett bearing N.W. by W., being 9 mHes from the east end of Adams Island ; sent two boats ashore sealing, which returned at 5 p.m., filled with blubber. Entered and anchored under the east head of Camp Cove; the weather foggy.

From this date up to leaving, the crew were employed sealing and exploring the surrounding country. The weather continued fine, with exception of an gale of easterly wind, during which the boats could not get back to the vessel, and one boat was blown up on the rocks and staved in. During the detention from the ship one of the crew, in sealing, fell across a vicious sea lion, which knocked him down and severely bit him in several parts of the body, and on one part of the face, so that he remained an invalid during the remainder of the voyage. The cutter Fanny, of Invereargill, was at anchor in Camp Cove ; and, at the time of the Amherst leaving, had on board two tons of seal oil-

Jan. 2, 1868—Unmoored the ship and got under weigh, with the wind at north-west; proceeded out of Carnly Harbor; 7 p.m. shortened sail and hove-to for the night. Jan. 3—Made sail and run down to Port Eoss, and anchored in 12 fathoms of water: fine weather; boats away sealing, and returned with 27 seals and six pigs ; fine weather. Jan. 6 —Two boats sent sealing, returned with three seals and twelve pigs.

From 6th to Bth—Engaged clearing ship, and preparing for leaving. Jan. 9—Grot underweigh and proceeded to sea, bound for Bluff Harbor. Jan. 11—Experienced fine weather to this date; the South Cape of Stewart's Island sighted. Anchored in Patterson's Inlet. Swept for and recovered the anchor lost on the 2nd November. Got underweigh and stood out wish the top of the flood. Wind fell came, anchored in Horseshoe Bay.

Jan. 15—"Weighed anchor and stood across the straits for Bluff Harbor. 8 p.m.—Off South-west point, and anchored until daylight. Jan. 13—Got under weigh and stood in for the Bluff, and anchored at the Pilot Station for the tide. At 10 a.m. got under weigh and came up to the harbor, and anchored off the wharf. Landed the ten survivors of the wrecked ship General Grant.