THE LATE GALES.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume XXVI, Issue 100, 20 August 1867, Page 2

THE LATE GALES.

The Grey River Argus, of the 15th, gives the following particulars of the weather experienced by coasters arrived at that port : — The schooner Wild Wave, which entered the river yesterday, has had a most narrow escape of being lost on the voyage from Christchurch. She left Christchurch on the 26th ultimo, the wind being from the N.E., and weather fine, which continued until, when off the Kaikoras on the 28th, a strong breeze from the northward set in. On the following day, the breeze freshened into a gale from the south, with thick weather. Next day, ran through the Strait, sighting the Brothers at 2, p.m., on the 30th. At 4, p.m., on that day, the gale had increased tremendously, bo much bo that the vessel ran before the wind under bare poles. At 6, p.m., the gale had become a hurricane, and a sea struck her and threw her on her beam-ends, where she lay for fully a minute, everyone on board expecting her to go to the bottom. Everything was swept from the deck, including fiftypigs and a lot of fowls ; and Mr. Smith, the owner of the vessel, the captain, and mate, were washed overboard, but luckily managed to cling to the mainboom, which was lying on the lee rail. The ship broached-to, but could not carry any sail, and the seas making a clean breach over her. Hoisted the peak of the close-reefed mainsail to keep her head to it, but it buried her, and they had to lay all night without a stitch of canvass, broadside to the sea. No one on board expected to see daylight, as 6ea after sea burst over the unmanageable craft; and, indeed, had the gale lasted two or three hours longer, the vessel must have been dashed to pieces on the rocky shores of Cape Egmont, for at daylight the land was sighted about eight miles dead on the lee. The gale having moderated, sail was set — a reefed foresail and reefed staysail only — and the vessel managed to clear off the coast and make a safe offing. The weather became fine for a day or two, and Cape Farewell was made on the 2nd instant. Had fine weather to the sth, off Rock's Point, when the S.W. gale was met with, which compelled them to heave-to, the ship labouring much and taking a great deal of water on board. To lighten her, a quantity of flour and cheese was thrown overboard, alter which she made much better. Next day, rounded Cape Farewell, and anchored under the Spit. G-ot under weigh again, and had to bring up in Astrolabe anchorage, Blind Bay. Started again on the 7th, and had fine weather to the Q-rey, arriving off this port on Tuesday night, and was towed in yesterday morning by the Dispatch, The Bchooner Spray left Lyttelton on the 11th ultimo, and passed through Cook Strait on the 25th with a strong S.E. wind. Was off Cape Farewell on the 28th, the wind blowing from the N.W. and light. On the 27th, spoke the Elfin, from Christchurch, for Fox's, and on the 29th, spoke the Caledonia, from Dunedin. On the 30th, arrived off Tangitawa Point (Point Elizabeth), but the heavy S.E. gale which sprung up drove her up to between Cape Foulwind and Rocks Point. The gale was terrific, the vessel being hardly able to carry a stitch of canvas. On the 2nd instant, found themselves thirty miles north of Cape Foulwind, and on the 4th, arrived Bgain off the Grey, but was met by a heavy W.S.W. gale, which blew the vessel away to the north of Rocks Point on the stb. On the 6th, bore up for Tonga roadstead, Blind Bay, and made another start on the 7th, but had to seek shelter in company with a lot of other vesßeis under Totaranui. Started again on the 9th, but at four, p.m., had to bear up again, and on the 11th anchored in Astrolabe roadstead. Got under weigh again on the 12th, and passed the schooner Stormbird lying at anchor between Cape Farewell and Curious Cliff. Thence had a moderate easterly breeze, and arrived off the Grey on the 13th, and was towed in yesterday. The Spray reports that the weather has exceeded in violence anything before experienced on Hie New Zealand coaßt, and that numbers of vessels have been lost or seriously damaged. The Emerald Isle, from Christchurh to Hokitika, which waß lying at Totaraaui, reported that she was caught in the gale, lost all her deck cargo, and a new sail and warp. All hands had been injured, and would have been lost but that they were lashed to the main boom when the eea struck her.

[By Electhic Telegraph.] WELLINGTON. Abbited. — August 17th, steamer Rangatira, from | the Buller ; steamer Otago, from Nelson. Sailed. — August 17th, steamer Beautiful Star, for Wanganui : 18th, steamer Rangatira, for Wanganui ; steamer Otago, for the South ; steamer Lord Ashley, for Nelson. WIND AND WEATHER REPORT. [By Electeic Telegeaph.] August 19, 9, a.m. Wellington. — Wind, N.E , light ; fine. Barometer, 29-92 ; thermometer, 52. — _________ _______ _ ______ __ __ — I