SALTWATER CREEK.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1092, 29 April 1863, Page 5

SALTWATER CREEK.

TO TnE EDITOR OF THE LYTTELTON TIMES. Sir, —In reading the letter of " Veritas," in the ' Lyttelton Times' of the 22nd, stating that the Gazelle was not near the bar or attempted to take the same on the 7th March, I beg to inform "Veritas" that the Gazelle took the bar that morning, at about a quarter past 5 o'clock, it being high water. The channel was seen plain enough before the vessel attempted to do so. The stakes were also in accordance with the same. But there was not sufficient water in the channel, as the steamer grounded on the bar, a few yards from the stake, and, as the drawback of the sea left her, her stern was buried 18 in. to 2 ft. in the sand. Though going at full speed, the engines were stopped dead, and in this predicament we were fully half an hour, tlie engines again going at full speed as each roll came in. Had not the propeller shaft been very strong it would have been bent or broken, and I can only express my surprise that this result did not ensue. It being impossible to get over the bar, we had no alternative but to watch each sea and go full speed astern to get her off again, or leave her there to bury her bones in the sand, which would have been the case had she not fortunately got off again. In reference to other parts of " Veritas' " letter, I beg to say that on the 6th it was getting dark when we got down there. We saw the flag, and could also discern a boat—l think the Alert's dingy—as it appeared small at leaving the wharf. AYe waited close to the bar, and saw the stakes. But long before the boat could possibly get down, it was too dark to see the channel or stakes, a heavy south-east swell breaking over the boat. Therefore thought it best to lie at anchor for the night, thinking in all probability by morning the sea would be down, as the tide answered by daylight. The next morning we looked for the flag and boat, but neither was seen, and, the sea not going down, we waited off the bar until 12 o'clock, and if any boat bad come down, or signal been made, I ask " Veritas " is it not extremely probable that some of the seven hands on board the steamer would have perceived them. Finding that no notice was taken of us, and the sea increasing with a south-east wind, we thought it better to return to port. On the Bth we started again for the creek. It was not our intention to take the bar that evening, but to give Mr. Cameron time to be down in tlie morj ning, and ourselves time to see the channel, and go

in, if possible. When leaving port it was very smooth, but when we got off Kaiapoi, we found a long, heavy south-east swell, increasing, as we neared the creek with a south-east wind, so much that we could not lie at anchor that night, and were obliged to steam from the land and lie to under canvas until 2 o'clock in the morning. The wind then lulled, and we anchored a short distance from the Creek. As daylight broke we looked again anxiously for the boat and flag, which were not to be seen. We then paid all attention to the bar, as we were determined to take it, if possible, but could see no channel, the sea breaking over the channel and stake that had the bit of rag upon it. The only channel we could see was to the northward of the stake, and this was proved by the Alert coming out to the northward a few days afterwards. Therefore, had we taken the old channel, as previously done, we should have found ourselves on the beach. In future I would recommend "Veritas " to be more fully informed of what he is writing about before rushing into print. I am, Sir, your obedient servant, A. J. KIRKHAM, Engineer of the steamer Gazelle.