THE BARQUE EXCELSIOR.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 190, 10 August 1895, Page 5

THE BARQUE EXCELSIOR.

A TERRIBLE VOYAGE

The barque Excelsior, which arrived ab Sydney lasb Sunday from the Kaipara, had a terribly rough passage across, as will be seen from the following account published in the Sydney "Morning Herald ":—The Excelsior loft Aratapu on the 6th of June, and cix days later was towed oub to eea. The same night, according to the log, was in a S. W. gale, and four days later saw the land about 30 miios N. W, from Kaipara, Blowing fresh gale. From then to the 14th July it continued to blow from moderate to heavy gales from N. W. to S. W., with high seas, and at times terrific hail-squalls. With the S. W. gales the sails were blown out of the ropes with a crack like the reporb from a gun. All the sails, from the topsails to the deck, were either blown away or split up at various times during tho voyage. On the 12th July, then 31 days from Kaipara bar, still blowing a strong S.W. gals, and provisions getting ehorb, and with little prospect of getting to the westward Norfolk Island, N.E. 200 miles, Lord Howe W. 300 miles, and having made only 500 miles of the journey, bore up for Norfolk Island to get provisions. Fortyeight hours later arrived off the islands, got Bupplies, and kept away towards Sydney, Thence to Lord Howo Island had a favourable run, but when midway between Lord Howe Island and Elizabeth Reef the wind again veered to the westward, blowing the hardesb gale of the lob foi four days, with high confused sea, the ship reaching to the wind under lower topsails, and more under water than over ib.

On bhe bhird day shipped a heavy sea, lifbing bhe deck cargo, starting the rails and stanchions, and washing away part of the bulwarks on each side ; decks full of water, ship straining aad labouring heavily, and making a good deal of water ; pumps hardly able to keep her free. Threw the deck cargo and all moveable gear about the deck overboard to lighten and ease the ship. Are now forty-four days at sea. This day drifted one hundred miles east during the gale; following day wind and sea moderating, wind veered to the south, made sail, and steered westward. Now 46 days at sea, and light variable winds with smooth sea, decks dry the first time since leaving Kaipara. Caulked the waterways and round the stanchions, and packed up everything to

the best advantage. At noon Lord Howe Island in sight, bearing west distant 35 miles. Ab midnight, blowing a gale from S.W.; under lower topsails as usual. Today, 47 days out, blowing a strong gale from S., veering W. The lower topsails and foresail lefb in a hail-squall. Fortyoight days ab sea ; wind S,, moderating ; made sail, saw a large ship standing to bhe eastward—the first sail seen since leaving Kaipara. Thence to arrival had moderaba variable winds, with clear weather and smooth sea.