SMUGGLERS' CAVE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXX, Issue 2486, 16 June 1888, Page 2 (Supplement)

SMUGGLERS' CAVE.

The Newcastle Daily Chronicle of May 15 reports the following adventure of 11 boys, varying in age from 10 to 14 years, at Sealiam Harbour, on Saturday last: — " At the south side of the town there is a rock projecting from the mainland known as Nose Point, on the top of which is built the V'ane and Seaham blast furnaces. Underneath is a large civern, locally known as the ' smugglers' Cave, , which at high tide is filled by the sea. Amongst the boys referred to the exploration of this cave and the unearthing of treasure of some buccaneer of the past had long been an object to be accomplished, and a determination was at last come to to carry cut the project at the fust fitting opportunity. Saturday was fixed upon for the day of search, aud true to a given time the band assembled. They started off in high hopes, headed by a trusty leader, aud provided with candles, lanterns, torches, a pick and shovel, they proceeded to the scene. Whilst, however, all requisite arrangements, as they thought had been made, they had forgotten one important point. Entering the cavern at low water, the lads at once commenced work, and soon were so intent upon the object of their labours that they never heeded the turn of the tide, and only when it was an utter impossibility to get back by the way they had come did they realise the dangerous position in which they were placed. In flowing, the tide sets around the cave in such a way that, whilst inside there is a large space of dry rocks and shingle, there is outside a considerable depth of water, which increases as the tide rises, ultimately filling tho cave. So long as there was comparatively dry footing the boj's were not alarmed, but when they found the tide advancing upon them, and compelling a refuge to be made further and furthnr into the cave, they realised their peril. Soon tho occupants of the cave found it imposeiblo to recede further. To avoid the rise of the water several of the boys climbed as high up the walls of the cave as possible. Others had no alternative but to stand pressed up against the end of the cavern, and allow the water to gradually creep in upon them. Higher and higher rose the water, and deeper and deeper the lads became immersed, until some of them were covered up to the shoulders. They all managed, however, to keep erect, notwithstanding their condition produced by shoutinsr for help and numbness arising from being compelled to stand in the water. Now and again abroken wavewoulddaehinaraongst them, rendering their position atill moro perilous. Moreover, the cave was nearly dark, all tho lads' lights having been put out except one, which had escaped the wash of the waves, and continued to give forth its feeble illumination. All thought the inevitable end had eome, yet the commendable pluckiness of the bigger lads in cheering the lesser ones materially assisted their companions in not entirely losing hope. One of the boys at last, from sheer want of strength, was washed from hie holding, but soon another lad standing near groped in the diirk, and. with nothing but the cries of his comrade to guide him, succeeded in again restoring him to his feet. In the meantime the lads had been missed from their homes, and their continued absence caused inquiries to bo made. This resulted in their whereabouts becoming known. A rumour then got abroad that the boys had been drowned, and soon fathers, mothers, brothers, sistere, and a large body of other men, women and children rushed off in eager haste to the top of the cliff. There was no way of reaching them from the shore, nor was there any possibility of going down the precipitous faco of the cliff with ropes. Indeed, had there been such an opportunity, the darknecs which followed, after carrying out all other suggestions had failed, prevented such an undertaking, although there were plenty of men willing to undergo the risk. Nothing could therefore be done by the hundreds of people who had collected than to wait in agony and suspense until the fall of the tide would admit of access to tho cave from the shore. All this time tho imprisoned and submerged lads had passed 8 terrible time, but just when they thought the worst hid come the water stopped rising. This was not a minute too soon, as a rise of a few more inches would have been the means of drowning every one of them. Slowly the water left the cave, and in a short time the boys felt themselves in comparative safety, although in darkness. It was, however, 10.30. at night bfifore the lads were rescued."