AN AWKWARD PREDICAMENT.

Westport Times, Volume VIII, Issue 1182, 5 June 1874, Page 4

AN AWKWARD PREDICAMENT.

A correspondent of the Manning River News sends the Sydney Morning Herald the following account of a very unpleasant trip from Cape Hawke . The Water Witch, a small vessel, crossed the bar with the intention of testing her sailing capabilities previous to her going on her first voyage to Sydney. It was intended to be absent only a few hours, so many persons availed themselves of enjoying the sea breeze—little thinking when they went on board that they would be compelled to remain out at sea for eight days, and nearly starved to death in the bargain. After being out a short time it was discovered that the AVitch could not bear up against the wind, owing to her not having sufficient ballast on board, and she drifted fast to lee-ward. There were twentyfour persons on board (including three ladies ami seven or eight children) with scarcely three days' provisions. On the morning of the third day the prospects began to look exceedingly gloomy —the gale still blowing from the S. W. as strong as ever, with little appearance of its abating. By this time all on board saw the necessity of going on short rations, and it was arranged that only one biscuit per clay should be the allowance as long as the biscuits lasted—which by this time were getting exceedingly low. On the fifth day the sun made its appearance, which gladdened the hearts of all on board, especially those of the ladies and children. An observation was then taken, when it was found the vessel had been 100 or 120 miles east of the Bellinger River. One of the crew caught a porpoise, which was cut up, cooked, and greedily devoured with a relish that no epicure ever enjoyed. The wind at last veered about to the N. E., and after about thirty hours' sail, Cape Hawke Heads became visible early on the eighth day. The privations those on board underwent told severely oil all, especially the woman and children.