A STORMY VOYAGE.

Auckland Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 173, 25 July 1887, Page 4

A STORMY VOYAGE.

The brigantine Parnell arrived from Newcastle on Saturday evening, after a stormy voyage, during which some damage was sustained. Captain Melsaac reports naving left Newcastle on the 10th instant, at 5 p.m., with light westerly winds and clear weather, which lasted until the 17th at 11 p.m., when the wind began to blow hard, with thick squally weather, and attended with heavy lightning, heavy cross sea, and hail. On the 18th the wind increased to a gale, and at 11 a.m. a'sea broke over the vessel, smashing the starboard boat into matchwood. At 8 p.m a terrific squall struck the ship, tho wind flying from W.N.W. to S.S.W., and lasting but rive minutes, during which it blew away the main trysail, middle staysail, and about four feet square out of tho upper topsail.The damage was all done so quickly Uwfc Captain Mclsaac thought the vessel

had been struck by lightning, as at times heavy thunder and lightning prevailed. At this time the vessel was in long 161 • lat. 34" 15 S. The wind then backed into the W.N.W., and at 10 p.m. another heavy sea broke on board and stove in the tank,and almost washed away all the lining on the front of the poop, also the guard boards round the rail. On the 19th, the gale still continued with such heavy seas that the decks were constantly flooded, and at 1 p. m. a heavy sea broke on board which bilged the second boat. The next day the weather began to improve and the wind to moderate down, veering to the S.S.W. On the 21st, wind light from the N.W.,and next day at 6 a.m. passed the Three Kings, and at noon the North Cape was rounded, wind at the time being from the S. W. Cape Brett was abeam at 9 p.m., thence to Auckland, S.W., veering to northerly winds.