PULLED OFF BY A TUG.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLIII, Issue 100, 26 April 1909, Page 5

PULLED OFF BY A TUG.

AND TOWED BACK TO PORT,

[PKBSS ASSOCIATION.]

WELLINGTON, April 26. The barque Weathersfield,.- after a week at sea j is back in .part again..' In the heavy ncrtli-westeirly of Thursday and Friday last the vessel lost some of her canvas,, and the master decided to put back for a refit. In the height of one of the worst, gales known'in the Strait* she -was swept close to the Hold©.-beach. _ Early on Saturday moamdng she- sighted low sandhills off the coast about two mileis ■away, and the captain cast anchor. The vessel 'rode there all day, dragging .slightly. The stock ■•of the port anchor was carried aw-ay. Signals of distress were flown, <v and detonators fired. The wind* veered round off the land, Tendering the, situation, of the barque less precarious. Later the. little steamer Wootton came up and stood by foir some time, and. then went to Foxtoai to .awake the position, knowaii and send a message for the tug Temwhitfc to Be desp&ttched. Unable to gefy a-response-: from the signal-station, the steamer ereturned and stood by all might. Meanwhile parties inshore observed the'signal flying from the barque, and word was sent to Wellingtoait. The, Terawfoiti went out, experiencing heavy weather, taking four hou;rs to; cover eighteen miles. At daybreak on .Sunday ishe sighted the barque^ and took her in tow at 4.20 p.m., (reaching Welliingjtan a.t 5 o'clock this morning. The Weathersfield was going to Suva to be turned' into a. coal-hulk. She was aground on the isame beach for four years—from 1888 to 1892—before she was re-floated.