A SMART BIT OF SEAMANSHIP.

Waikato Times, Volume XXX, Issue 2477, 26 May 1888, Page 2 (Supplement)

A SMART BIT OF SEAMANSHIP.

On 23rd February last the British squadron on the West Indian station, under Admiral Lyons, was proceeding to sea from the Port of Spain in Trinidad. The passage out between the island and the main, called Bocca Huevas Channel, is somewhat narrow, and a strong wind aud swift current knocked up a heavy and long ground-swell. The S ships which composed the squadron were therefore ordered to proceed in single line under steam ; the three rearmost vessels being the Lily, Canada and Forward. The Lily is a barque-rigged second class gun-vessel of sufficient horse-power to drive her under favourable circumstances, about 10 knots ; the Forward, a schoonerrigged second-class gun-boat which may make 8 or !) knots at tho best. Both vessels are more than 10 years old. The fleet had struggled through the Channel against wind and sea, when, just as the Forward cleared the outer edgo of the shoals, the frame in which the propeller is carried broke, and in a moment she was completely disabled aud drifting broadside on to the rocks. Lieutenant Bearcroft promptly hoisted one of the sails, and while preparing to set more canvas ordered his anchors and cables to be cleared away as a last resource. Meanwhile, although on board of the Canada, which was next in front of the unlucky gun boat, the mishap had not attracted attention, the erratic movements of the Forward had been seen by the Lily. Her captain, Mr. Campbell, guessing that something had gone wrong and divining what might be the result of the disaster, at once turned his ship completely round, sent up a signal to the admiral asking for permission to do that which he was in the act of doing, and steamed full speed to the relief of the distressed vessel. The moment must have been an anxious one ; for from the Canada (on board of which ship the impression prevailed that the Lily's steering gear had broken down) the little ship was seen, as she turned, to roll her gunwi'les almost under water, so deep was the swell, and for a time her hull was completely out of sight. When the Lily neared the Forward, a hawser was with difficulty, owing to the heavy so i running, got on board the latter craft and then an effort was made to tow her backwards from the point. Under the circumstances, communication between the two vessels must have been a ticklish job, and scarcely had the gun boat been dragged 59 yards when the wire rope parted. Then another hawser had to be seut from the Lily, and this was hardly secured when it fouled the gun vessel's screw, and she too was disabled. But the endeavour had succeeded ; the worst part of the peril was past, for the gun boat was now to leeward of the dangerous point. And she was able to first anchor and then "club haul." To learn what this last maiueuvre is, we refer our readers to the pages of Marryat or Falconer; it is a feat not often performed nowadays. But the Forward was saved; although it is certaiu that hud she touched hot torn in tho first instance nothing could have prevented the loss of the ship, while probably a good many of the crew would have been drowned. Had Commander Campbell not displayed a judgment and decision worthy of the greatest commendation, there seems to be no doubt but that her Majesty's navy would have been short of another gun boat. The oHiccrs and crew of both vessels promptly responded to the needs of the situation, aud that tho two ships were kept off tho rocks in a tideway aud taken into port when both had temporarily lost the use of their engines goes a long way to show that seamanship is not dead yet in lier Majesty's navy.— fcit. James's Gazette,