THE SHIP NELSON.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVIII, Issue 298, 23 December 1897, Page 6

THE SHIP NELSON.

CAUGHT IN A HURRICANE.

NARROW ESCAPE FROM

WRECKAGE.

WELLINGTON, November 28,

Considerable excitement prevailed in the city last evening when news was circulated that the Shaw-Savill Company's fine slap Nelson, 1,126 tons, Captain G. Perriara, which had just arrived after a 97 days?' passage from Liverpool, had had a very narrow escape of being lost in the Strains early in the morning. In more than one respect the voyage was a sensational one. The vessel left Liverpool on 23rd August, and met with favourable weather until the 7th November, when she was off Cape Leu win. Here she met with three tremendous south-westerly gales in four days and sustained a large amount of damage. In the first gale, which only lasted six or seven hours, the fore topsail yard was carried away, and next day the ship weathered a gale of similar duration with but slight mishap. On the tenth, howewer, she experienced

A PERFECT HURRICANE, which raged for about 24 hours, and during which the glass fell to 28-40. The captain ran the vessel before it under topsails, and about eight p.m. a fearful sea came on board, smashing the port lifeboat, several of the rails, and some of the cabin doors. For hours the ship was literally buried in water, and those on board had a most anxious time. The first destructive sea was followed shortly afterwards by another awful volume of water, which caused wholesale havoc. One of the forward lifeboats was swept overboard, the forecastle and deck-house were damaged and smashed in a variety of ways, and as a climax the jib-boom and foremast stays were carried away, leaving the foretopgallant mast in imminent danger of coming down. This latter contingency, however, was prevented by the bravery of chief officer Davis, who managed, at the risk of his life, to make a stay fast to the tottering mast.

THE GALE MODERATED, next morning and the ship proceeded on her course, experiencing line weather to Cape Farewell, which was breasted on Friday morning. At half-past four a.m. on Saturday, shortly,, after passing well outside of Karori Rock, the vessel

TOUCHED ON A ROCK, but hung there only for a moment. The impact was so slight that the captain, who was on the poop at the time directing the man at the wheel, had some doubt as to whether it was really a rock that had been hit. The pumps were immediately ordered to be sounded, but an examination showed the vessel was not making any water, and as the sea was increasing every minute the captain deemed it prudent to put the ship's head out to sea and run before the wind. About an hour afterwards further soundings were taken, and the officers were surprised and startled to learn that the gauge showed 17 inches in the hold. The pumps were at once got to work, but

THE WATER GAINED RAPIDLY, : and the skipper clapped on sail with the intention of running for Cloudy Bay in order to beach the vessel. By thistime the gale had increased to hurricane force. . Soon afterwards the Union Company's steamer Tarawera, bound from Lyttelton to Wellington, was' sighted, and the Nelson signalling that she was sinking the Tarawera bore down on her, and arrangements were made for towing the disabled vessel to Wellington. This was abont seven a.m., and after long and hazardous operations the two vessels got under weigh at one p.m., being then between 10 and 15 miles off Wellington Heads. Owing to the gale and heavy sea very great difficulty was encountered in getting the towlines fast. At the first attempt the ship's hawser carried away, but the second try was successful, and the steamer's line was made fast. In the teeth of the gale the Tarawera conld only make slow progress, and it was after five o'clock when Wellington harbout was entered. THE CARGO. The Nelson has 1,479 tons of cargo for Wellington and about 800 tons for Dunedin. The principal Wellington lines are: 260 packages whisky, 350 cases beer and stout, 3,200 sacks salt, 500 kegs soda. The balance comprises wire, iron, earthenware, and sundries. The amount of salvage to be paid to the Union Steamship Company will probably be a question for adjustment. The Union Company claim £5,000 salvage for the Tarawera's services in towing the ship Nelson in. This is irrespective of the use of the Company a hulks, appliances, and labour of men after the vessel reached the wharf.