ARRIVAL OF THE BRIG WILD WAVE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 6067, 28 April 1881, Page 5

ARRIVAL OF THE BRIG WILD WAVE.

TERRIBLE SUFFERINGS OF THE CREW. SIX DAYS WITHOUT WATER. TnE brig Wild Wave arrived from Kaipara yesterday afternoon, with a temporary rudder, and a deck cleared of houses and all that the heavy seas could carry off. On Thursday, the 14th instant, she started from Kaipara with a light breeze, when the brig got to the bar the wind died away completely, and a calm ensued, and she drifted towards the North Spit. A sea struck the port bow, filling the deck with water, shifting the cargo, and causing the vessel to heel over until her rail was in the water. Thereupon the main topsail was cut away to ease her, and some of the cargo was thrown over the lee side, the sea breaking frightfully over the starboard beam at the time. In this way she drifted over the end of the North Spit. The seas which broke over the vessel were terrible, and the crew had to take to the rigging. The fore-hatch, fore-scuttle, companion, and skylight, were burst in, the galley and compasses were washed away, the 400-gallon ■water tank containing tiie only fres.li water on board, was swept clean over the side as lightly as if it was a chip of wood. The boats were stove in ; everything about the decks were either destroyed or carried away, and the cabin and forecastle were filled with water. About 1 p.m. the brig drifted to sea and into smooth water, and it was then found necessary to heave a quantity of the cargo overboard to right her, and in order to clear the cargo away the braces and running gear on the starboard side had to be cut away. All hands were then sent to the pump, and after pumping an hour the well was sounded, revealing that 3 feet 6 inches water was therein. Pumping was continued until 7.30 p.m. when the ship was sucked dry. At 8 o'clock it was found that the rudder had broken off at the water's edge. The next day there was a light E. to S.E. breeze, and the vessel was headed southward under topsails. At daylight all hands began to clear away the wreck, and make a jury rudder by means of the mainboom, and worked until dark. On Saturday the construction of the jury rudder was continued ; at 4 p.m. it was got into its place, and the ship wore to the northward. The crew suffered very much through want' of water. On Sunday the men were employed splicing and rigging new gear. On Monday Hokianga was sighted about eight miles distant, bearing N.E. The ship was steering badly. On Tuesday, at noon, Cape Marie "Van Dieman bore N. by E., seven miles away. At 4 p.m., when abreast of Spirits Bay the s.s. Tararua was signalled. Captain Garrard at once bore down, and manifested a most sympathetic spirit, rendering every assistance in his power. But the most ffracious boon was a present of a cask and two breakers of water. This was eagerly partaken of, as no one on board had drank anything since leaving Kaipara. The pangs of thirst had been terrible, acd various expedients were' resorted to to assuage the agony, amongst them being that of sucking potatoes. This done the Tamrna proceeded on her voyage, but not before receiving the hearty thanks of both captain and men. On Wednesday, the 20th, at 4 p.m., the North Cape bore west. The wind increasing the topgallant - sails and upper topsails were taken in, and subsequently the breeze freshened to a smart gale. At midnight the wind had moderated, but there was a high cross-sea. On Thursday, at 4.15 a.m., the jury rudder carried away. It was taken in, and a new one commenced, the ship drifting in the meantime to the N.E. About 5.30 in the afternoon the new rudder was fixed, and the vessel wore to W. On Friday the upper topsail and foresail were set. On Saturday there was a stong S. to S.E. breese, and the vessel wore to E. at 4 p.m. The North Cape bore S.S.E., eight miles off, so that no headway had been made for some days, owing to adverse winds. On Sunday morning the ship wore to S. On Tuesday the wind was still E. ; at noon the Little Barrier bore S. 12 miles, and at 6 p.m. YV. 2 miles. At noon yesterday Tiritiri was sighted. The jury rudder is a very ingenious contrivance. The main boom, which is about a foot in circumference, and was reduced to 18 feet in length, was bolted to another 12 feet, in length, and they were afterwards tied with chain. The difference in length between the two spars, viz., 6 feet, served as a shaft, and ran up through the rudder-trunk. Below this, viz., 12 feet, planks were nailed, and the whole tied by ropes and chains, and a very serviceable rudder thus constructed. The rudder was sunk by means of chains, and such weights as were available, whilst the shaft was suspended from the house on deck. A spar across the deck connected with the wheel, and at either end of this spar was a cha : n, which ran outside to the rudder.

The cargo consists of 143,000 foot dressed, sawn, and rough timber, shipped by the Union Sash and Door Company for Melbourne, whither the Wild Wave was bound. The vessel was built, in Guernsey about twenty years ago, but was rebuilt in Sydney in 1575. She is the property of the master, Captain Hurley. A considerable amount of damage has been sustained, probably to the extent of several hundreds of pounds, but tliei'9 is every reason to believe that the hull is quite sound. A survey will probably be held to-day. The vessel is not insured, nor, as far as we have ascertained, is the freight. Captain Hurley, for himself and the crew, and the crew for themselves, request us to give expression to their sincere thanks to Captain Garrard for his kindness hv- turning out o£ bis way to render the valuable assistance which he did.