CRUISE OF THE SANDFLY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume I, Issue 42, 1 January 1864, Page 2

CRUISE OF THE SANDFLY.

Tho colonial gunboat Sandfly, Captain Ilannibsl Mark?, arrived from Pokurakura via Coromandel., yesterday morning, bringing her prize, the native cutter Ariel, in tow. Tho Sandfly left Auckland at 2 p.m. on Thurndnv, December 15th, for tho Thames, and anchored abreast of H.M.S. Miranda at half-past nine tho same night. At 7 next morning steamed in company with, the Miranda to the west sido of the Thames ; stepped engines at 8 a.m., and at 8.30 took Captain dentin's gig in tow, arid proceeded to Pokurakura, where she arrived 11.30 a.m. On Saturday tho Mb., at 5 a.m., took on board 60 of tho Auckland Naval Volunteers, in command of Captain Copland, for tho purpose of transferring them to the Miranda, but tho heavy sea then running prevented her so doing, and both vessels were compelled to steam away for Waikeki, whore, upon their arrival, tho men were safely put on board H.M.S. Miranda, which vessel look her departure for Auckland. Tho Sandfly then put into Huruhi. Bay to water, and lay there for tho night. Monday, tho 21st, at 6 a.m., Bturted at full speed on a cruiso to Coromandel, and up the cast side of tho Thames, whoro sho sighted a cutter lying at tho Mata; aftcrwardsproceeded;to',Pokurakura, where she lav until Saturday last, tho 26th inst.; at 10 a.m. that morning observed a cutter attempting to get out from tho Piako, but being too lato for the tide, was unsuccessful; during tho day tho stranger madu several attempts to got out, but the wind was so light that it did not stem her against the tide. Cap. tain Marks watched the vessels movements closely, and very prudently ordered that no smoke should bo mado for fear tho men in tho cuttor should observe it; for although her movements were plainly seen from the Sandfly, still that vessel could not bo observed from the cutter. At 7.30 the saino evening Cap-am Marks set sail in tho direction where the cutter -vas seen, but at the fiamo time having the fires all ready to start at a minute's notice should they pivo her tho slip. Every stitch of canvas was'crowdec. on the littlo gunboat, and all tho lights in tho cabin and forecastle were blinded for fear of being observed. This was a good precaution, for at 10.30 p.m., all being excitement on board with regard to the chare, the look out at tho mast head descried tho runaway close under the land on the port bow, and tho first intimation they had of tho gunboats approach was a salute from her six pounder, the ball whizzing across her bows. The men on board were then all armed, and she steamed alongside, Captain Marks at tho samo -time demanding her to heave to. Upon his boarding her the natives first said that she was the Ariel, from the Piako, bound to the Mata with wheat and maize, but afterwards stated that they were going to Auckland with pigs and wool. There were on board 10 native men, a women, and one Frenchman named Louis. These men showed a clearance signed by Dr. Shortland in August last, which was about two month before tho Thames was blockaded. Captain Marks deeming it prudent to detain tho cutter, she was taken in tow, and both vessels proceeded to Pokurakura, arriving there the same night. On Tuesday, at noon, H.M.S.S. Miranda was observed steaming up the Thames, and tho Sandfly immediately got under weigh, and towed the cutter up to tho Miranda, when Captain Jenkins took tho natives on board, whilst some of the Sandfly's men took charge of the prize. The Miranda then, put hack to Coromandel, followed by tho cutter; tho Sandfly at tho same time proceeding back to Pokurakura with the English mail, and to await the return one, upon receipt of which sho steamed away for Coromandel to meet H.M.S.S. Miranda, and again tako charge of tho prize; she arrived there that evening, and remained untill "Wednesday night last, when she took her departure, with the captured vessel in tow, tor Auckland. Captain -Marks deemed it more prudent in blockading the Thames to lie at Pokurakura than at the mouth of the river, for whilst he was to be seen there no Maori craft would show out; and further, that the movements of any vessel in the Thames could ha plainly seen from the Sandfly, but she herself could not be observed, excepting through her smoke. The whole proceeding ltflects the greatest credit on Captain Marks, and shown that ho is the right man m the right place.