PERILOUS VOYAGE OF THE SHIP PERICLES.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIV, Issue 141, 16 June 1893, Page 3

PERILOUS VOYAGE OF THE SHIP PERICLES.

ng DEATH OF A PASSENGER FROM

FRIGHT,

THE CAPTAIN AND TWO OF THE

CREW INJURED.

After a terrible combat with wind and waves the clipper ship Pericles, of Messrs George Thompson and Co.'s Aberdeen line, arrived at Sydney on June 6th, from London. The Pericles has been trading to the colonies for many yeara, but never before has she been subjected to such rough handling as on the present trip, and the appearance of the Bbip denotes it. In fact it was remarked that few vessels would have survived such a terriblo experience. Not only did the ship suffer injury, but several of the crow, including the master, Captain Philip, wero incapacitated through the rough usage they received, whilst a passenger, a Mr Gerald Harker, who was travelling for his health, received such a severe Bhock to the system during the rough weathor that he gradually sank and died.

The ship's report shows that the Pericles left London on March 3, and, with the wind south-west, and thick, misty weather, proceeded down Channel, landing the pilot oli Prawle Point on March 7. The Equator was crossed on the 29th day out, and all went well until April 26. On that date the ship was struck by a squall, the wind blowing with the force of a cyclone, with the result thab the foretopgallant mast was carried away about 2ft above the cap. Rigging, yards, and mast came thundering down on deck, but fortunately no one was injured. The sea subsequently became mountainous, sweeping the decks, and threiit&uing the lives of the crew. The squall proved to bo the precursor of a hurricane, which was accompanied by thunder and lightning, and during the four days the storm lasted the crew had a very trying timo of ib. There was only a brief respite, for on May 8 another gale sot in, aud decks wero again swept.

Seven days later witnessed tho return of bad weather. The barometer fell rapidly in a few hours, and the wind howled with terrific fury from the south-wesb, accompanied by severe squalls and a high and confused sea. In was considered dangerous to bring tbo phip to, so she was kept oft before wind and sea, and had a very bad time of ib. The storm was at its height and the ship was scudding before the wind and eea at racehorse speed, when at 8 a.m. on May 16 a sea was pooped, It fell on deck with all the force of nn avalanche, completoly burying the vessel for a time. Captain Philip, who was on the poop looking after the navigation, was caught by the wave and hurled from ono end of the poop to the other. He was picked up out of a meat-safe with his collar bone broken and severely bruised and ehaken. Two men who were steering were found on the main deck, one named Danielson with a broken arm, and the other much bruised and knocked about. The wheel and wheol-box were smashed to pieces, binnacle and compass swept away, skylight smashed, and cabin flooded. Besides this the lazaretto hatch and skylight were burst open and the 'tween decka flooded. For a time the vessel was in danger of broaching to, but this waa prevented by the chief officer (Mr Holmes) quickly fixing relieving tackle* on the tiller and keoping the ship before wind and sea. As Roon as the injured had been attended to an examination waa made below, and it was found that tho passentrers had had a thrilling experience. When fcho sea smashed tho skylight the water poured into the saloon in great volumes, and passengers and thoir effects were washed out of thoir berths, Tho barometer during tbo storm fell from 30.54 to 28.90, and the gale continued until it had risen to 30.35. The Pericles carried heavy weather to Tasmania, and thence had fine weather to port. The ship was berthed at Parbury's Wharf on arrival.