DUCO'S FISHING CRUISE.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 599, 30 August 1909, Page 8

DUCO'S FISHING CRUISE.

OFF THE CHATHAMS A'BATTLE WITH Tile ELEMENTS. Although tiro Duoo's identity was not discovered till slw was close to the, Heads last evening, thel-e was quite a little crowd of interested people to meet her , when she berthed at the Ferry AMiarJ shortly after 7pm There --was evidenco that she had but recently passed through heavy seas, as her decks had been awash, and water had also penetrated into the cabins Captam Abrams reports that the steamer experienced little else but rough leather during the whole of the- month that she had been a,way In all weathers, however, the Duco proved herself a good and she came through without sustaining any damage Leaving Wellington on July 28, modonto westerly wind! with a heavy northerly swell were experienced on the run across, and Waitingi was reached in 47 hours Mails wero landed, and the Duco proceeded to Pitt Island 1 on August 31/ and cruised about different fishing grounds till the follo'ving Thursday Bad weather , then set in,, and shelter was sought at Port Hutt, in 'Petre Bay Hero a nice, safo anchorage was secured, and, as violent S W -gales aroso on Saturday, August 7, the Duco, in company with the jllipple, remained m tie bay for two days Before the Ripple left for Lyttelton, she supplied the Duco with coal, and the latter v vessel then pushed on to fresh fishing-grounds. She made \i9its to Port Hutt, Ocean Bay ; Cubi Passage, and other points, experiencing varying fortune in different spots On Thursday, August 12, another severe S W gale was met with, and, on the following six-ewt anchor was' carried away on a rock on the north-west side of ■the Chatbams Five days ago she left Waitatigi for Cubi Passage, and fished until 'Friday, when preparations wore made for the homeward voyage Somes Point was left at 9 pm. on Friday, and a succession of violent N to N E gales were experienced till Oape Palliser was reached at 4' p m jestordav High seas prevailed throughout, and the vessel's decks were flooded again and again Questioned as to the results of the voyage Captain Abrams preferred to say nothing for the present There is fish aboard, and details of thn quality and quantity will bo furnished when fho/hatchoa are unsealed today The £shing-grounds at Chathams aro stated to be very good, but tho weather is apparently ai serious bar to good business, and dangerous locks exist m different parts