A NARROW ESCAPE.

Press, Volume XIIX, Issue 14553, 2 January 1913, Page 8

A NARROW ESCAPE.

SMALL STEAMER'S PERILOUS DRIFT. ;)

(PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) AUCKLAND, January L.

Tho small steamer Akaroa, of 70 tons, was just rescued in t.rno to sava her from a_rifting on the reef near th**** mouth of Cox's Creek yesterday.

Tho Akaroa came down the Gulf voa» terday morning hauling a rait or togs, t and at an cany hour tno rait was cut adrift and anchored. Tho captain anil I crew then dropped the steamer's anchor about -100 yards off "Sloan's beach, ani loft tho vessel in apparent safety. Towards 11 o'clock, however, a northeasterly breeze became a gale, an'l this, coupled with an abnormally high - tido shortly after neon, caused tho Akaroa's anchor to lilt, and tho little vessel, with no ono on board, entered , upon a dangerous drifting course towards tho mouth of Cox's creek. The weather in tho meantime became worse, and it was apparent from tho oourso tho vessel was taking that very soon she would drift on to tho jagged reef, which runs out to tho right of tho creek's mouth.

In tho meantime two residents in tho vicinity of Sloan's beach rcalfsed tho danger tho vessel was in, and tried to obtain a boat to row out to her, their intention being to get aboard the vessel and to lower another and heavier anchor. Their efforts to obtain a boat, however, failed,, and tho next best courso which sugcestod itself to them • was to hurry to the residence of ono of. the owners (Messrs Cashmoro Bros.). Mr Cashmoro obtained assistance, rowed out to tho steamer, and managed to , loner tho heavier anchor just in time. Tho vessel had drifted broadside on to the hcvivy sea nnd wind for nearly a mile, and another few minutes must have meant, if not her destruction "n a jntia-ed reef, at any rato very serious damage.