NARROW ESCAPE OF THE THANE, S.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume I, Issue 19, 26 March 1866, Page 2

NARROW ESCAPE OF THE THANE, S.

The. Thane, s., left Nelson on Thursday, the Ist instant, at 10 a.m., with, passengers and cargo. Called at the Buller on Saturday, the 3rd, aud took on board 25 passengers; left same tide, and called in at the Grey the next day. Discharged cargo, and left for Hokitika on Monday, the sth, at noon, with 30 passengers and cargo. Encountered a very strong head wind and tremendous sea. Arrived at Hokitika the same night, anchored off the bar, and went in the following morning ; proceeded to discharge cargo, and loaded for Okarita. Left for that port, full ol cargo and passengers, on Friday, the 9th instant, where she arrived outside on the 10th, at 8 a.m; waited for signal to enter until 5 p.m. on the following day, when the signal was hoisted; endeavored to enter, but touched upon the nortli end of the sandspit, north channel ; having lost, by that means, steerage way, she grounded on the opposite beach, about 600 yards from the entrance of the harbor. After a considerable amount of exertion, tlji£ captain managed to work her round to the entrance of the channel, by means of chains and tackles, then floated her into the harbor with the tide, and dropped her down to the anchorage ground, being unable to use her screw on account of an injury sustained while on the spit. The time occupied in working her off the spit and into the river was about 60 hours. She discharged her cargo the following day, and her rudder having been repaired to enable her to steer, it was decided that she should proceed to sea under canvas, her repairs not being sufficient to enable her screw to work; the Lioness was, therefore, engaged to tow her over the bar. The Thane lefc Okarita on the 21st instant, but while coming out of the south channel she struck on the bar, destroying her steering apparatus, at the same time the tow line parted. The position of the vessel then became very critical, she being left among the heavy breakers, with no sails set, and the tiller carried away. She was quickly wasiied into the north channel, and at one time approached within 12 yards of the beach. The captain, however, did not lose his presence of mind. The sails were immediately set, and being steered for some distance by means of fore and aft sails, she managed to get through the breakers. Great difficulty was experienced in keeping Iter out to sea. For the distance of two miles she was within 20 yards of the beach. When, however, she was got well off the land, chains were rigged on eacli side of the rudder, and an imperfect mode of steering thus provided. On her voyage, imtil she rounded the Sandspit, she encountered very heavy gales from the S.W., and tremendous sea. It was the intention of the captain to proceed to Wellington, but as the vessel steered very badly he put in here, arriving off the Boulder Bank on Saturday, the 24th instant, and was towed in by her boats yesterday morning. The injuries she sustained are not very great, and can easily be repaired ; but had she not been very strongly built, she must have gone to pieces outside Okarita. Great credit is due to the Captain, for had it not been for his presence of mind when the vessel was in such a critical position in the breakere, she would never have reached this port.