THE PERTHSHIRE.

Clutha Leader, Volume XXV, Issue 1309, 23 June 1899, Page 6

THE PERTHSHIRE.

The Perthshire, now anchored in Neutral Bay, Sydney harbour, bears evidences of her long drift, knocking about, and rough weather, but otherwise all is well. It is understood that the frozen meat aboard is all right. The Perthshire broke her shaft, at 6 o'clock on the evening of the 28th April. The fracture waa within four feet from the end. The engineers succeeded in rppairing the shaft on June 11, after 10 days' labour, by means of a patent coupling.

The repairs to the Perthshire were completed within 43 miles of Norfolk Island. She had steamed 180 miles northward when she was picked up, her rate of speed being four and a half knots an hour.

From the date of leaving Sydney (April 26) throughout the long drift the weather was stormy. She drifted hfclplessly some 1400 miles, crossing and recrossiug the track of steamers, and expecting to be picked up. Attempt were made to sail her, but there was not sufficient canvas to give steerage way. A strong electric light was kept burning at the mast head, and coloured lights were also frequently burned. No attempt was made <to mend the shaft till she had drifted out of the tr&ck of New Zealand steamers.

Though the experience of those on board was exciting, they suffered little inconvenience., Their only fear was that the vessel would drift ashore after she had got out of the track of the New Zealand steamers.

A Press Association representative interviewed Captain Spinks of the Talune. He report? d that rockets were fired every hour after leaving Wellington. The Talune sighted the Perthshire at 3.20 on the morning of the 13th, about 700 miles from Sydney. The Perthshire asked for assistance, and the Talune stood by till daylight. The weather was fine with a moderate breeze. Captain Spinks arranged a tow, got the Perthshire's hawser aboard, and started at 8.30 same morning. Proceeded at haif-speed, and made fair progress till 8 o'clock on the morning of the 15th, when the tow rope parted, the wind meantime having increased 'o a moderate gale, with sharp rain squalls, accompanied by heavy head sea. Preparations were then made for the tow by chain cables, the Perthshire's being connected with the Talune's. Owing to the heavy sea a line had to be passed aboard, the Perthshire by means of a rocket. A fresh start was made at 4 o'clock on the afternoon of the 1 5th. Strong head winds and heavy sea continued till the

morning of the 17th, testing the cables fo the utmost. The weather then moderated. The wind hauled to the south -east, and sail was set on the Perthshire, and port safely reached.

Captain Spinks has been warmly congratulated on all sides on his long and successful towing feat.

The Talune nearly missed the Perthshire. An hour late* and she would have steamed on her course to Sydney.

But for the passengers aboard, Captain Wallace would probably have attempted to make port unaided and accepting the services of the Talune.

Mr Blair, the first engineer of the Perthshire gives an interesting account of the attempts to repair the propeller shaft. The day after the breakage the propeller was secured with chains. ■ Owing to the difficulty of repairing the broken shaft it was decided that it was preferable to wait for passing steamers. Meanwhile, the engineer removed the stern tube, and found that the breakage was in the after liner. After he got the ends together he had much trouble, and the shaft slipped several times. He states that when the vessel was picked up everything was working smoothly The engineers were of opinion that thoy would have had no difficulty in reaching port, and were greatly disappointed at being picked up after going to so much trouble in fixing up the breakage. While the repairs were proceeding the engineers had scarcely two hours' sleep a day, and barely took time to eat their meals. They considered that if the repairs had been taken in hand at the first instead of waiting for steamers they would be finished on May 9.

The fourth officer's private log furnishes an excellent account of the exp£riences of the Perthshire : —

'We met a heavy southerly gale after leaving Sydney. When this subsided it left a heavy sea, in which the ship labored. When the vessel broke down an inspection showed the propeller lying against the rudder post. The night was dark, the sea high and confused, and nothing could be done with safely. All sail was set and bent to a southerly wind.

' At daybreak the next morning the boat was again lowered, the propeller, with much difficulty, was securely lashed, and every effort made to get the vessel into the track of steamers, but she had no steerage way. A powerful searchlight was rigged.

'The efforts made to reach the track of vessels was disheartening. No sooner would the steamer gain a trifle when the wind would shift to another quarter. Even the most patient of those on board vere now becoming irritable, and matters were getting worse and worse. On May 6 the gale increased, and the vessel was laboring kea\ily, rolling in the trough o! the

sea. After nine days' blowing about we found we were only nine miles to the northward of our first position.

* On May 7 hope once more dawned, as the gale moderated and enabled us to make thirty seven miles north and east. In proportion as we got north our spirits revived, and we began to answer one another more civilly and look less miserable.

-' On the 10th the Perthshire was just six miles southward of the track. When she was got on the track every effort was made to keep there. We rigged a drag over the starboard quarter, bat failed to get the vessel round. Then we were continually tortured with the knowledge that the vessel was now drifting across the track and getting farther away.

♦On the 18th of May th<ro was great excitement on sighting s^il, as we had almost begun to think that we were the remnants, of a great world on a Noah's Ark expedition. The little schooner Whangaroa Rtnpped by the Perthshire all night. Then, after the Whangaroa left us again in solitude, all attempts to get the ship round failed. Up to this point the ar^rage drift was 17 miles daily north and east. 'The 17th saw another gale, which caused the chain lashing of the pro peller on the port side to carry away. The wind was still northerly, and nearing the Auckland track hope was renewed. We nursed the hope that we would be picked up for a certainty. On the 24th, the Queen's Birthday, we did not forget to wish her many more years of happiness and a peaceful entry into the next world when the time should come.

1 The 25th of May found us 30 miles from the track, and a sail in sight. Our hopps were damped to find it was not a steamer. Then, after sending messages, the Northern Chief left us alone once more. The next day we had crossed the track. The potatoes had run out, and so we had no yeast, but bread was made by utilisirg stout. In some mysterious manner the bread was black, and was scarcely palatable. It weighed twice as heavy as ordinary bread. The Perthshire kept sending off rockets while in the track at night. On the 27th she was 60 miles northward of the track, or 926 miles' drift since the breakdown. On the 3 1st the captain decided that, as we were drifting amongst the islands, something must be done so repair the damage.

{ On June 1 a terrific southerly gale was experienced, and we drifted 73 miles. We were now 150 miles southward and westward of Norfolk Island. On June 5 the weather was fine, and the Verajean hove in sight.

'On the 11th the engines were started, and we had covered 100 miles when the Talune was sighted. Then the great question arose as to whether we should accept assistance. The captain went aboard the Talune, and instructions were shortly after signalled from the Talune to prepare to tow.'

The Perthshire will discharge hor cargo at Sydney and go into dock.

Captain Spinks, of the Talune, has besn overwhelmed with complimentary telegrams from all parts for finding the Perthshire and towing her into Sydney Harbour.