THE KETCH ENVY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 11150, 24 August 1899, Page 5

THE KETCH ENVY.

SAFE IN PORT.

A MIRACULOUS ESCAPE.

TERRIBLY ROUGH EXPERIENCE.

EFFICACY OF OIL BAGS.

When on luesday morning last it was announced in the Hehald that a message had been found in a bottle on the shores of the Great Barrier, telling that the little ketch Envy, with her crew of five men, was in dire straits in the easterly gale which was raging on the 14th inst., the general consensus of opinion was that the ketoh had foundered, and that all on board had mot with a watery grave, and that the only tidings (.hat would ever be heard of her, beyond the message which was placed in a bottle, and consigned to the sea by the captain, was the probability of a portion of her gear or timbers being washed ashore at some point along the northern coast of this island. In tact, when it was reported early yesterday morning that the vessel was working her way up the Hauralci Gulf towards the port, very few of those who heard of it believed the story true. But true it was, for soon afterwards the Envy rounded the North Head, and was anchored at the Powder Ground, with her ensign displayed at the masthead, as if in pride that the little vessel had bravoly surmounted di-ngere which had proved disastrous to muco staunchei and larger vessels. And what a story those on board had to tell of their experiences with " the porils of the sea!" and with what pride they spoke of the sea-going qualities of the Envy during the terrible weather she had to battle with and contend against for over a week; for, according to the generally-expressed opinion, their escape was looked upon as little short of miraculous, considering what had to bo undergone. In a great measure Captain Champion attributes the safety of the vessel to the use of oilbags, which were continually utilised throughout the days that tho gale continued, until it was all gone; and ho is certain that but for its efficacy in smoothing the soa to a great extent the Envy could not liavo weathered the gale. At the time the message was thrown overboard Captain Champion thought the vessel was somewhere in the vicinity of the Great Barrier, but could not bo certain, although, ns he says, "1 would have given much if I had been suro of my position;" and, as matters stood, he concluded that oither tho vessel would be dashed ashore or founder, as nothing whatever could bo dono to control her. Tho only thing to do was to let her go before tho gale, and fortunately lie cleared all dangers of wind, sea, and coast, and when an observation was made on the first opportunity it was found that she had been driven up to the Poor Knights, but had to go still further north on account of the galo, and when the next observation was made she was near the Three Kings. After an experience of many years at sea, and having been through half-a-dozen hurricanes amongst the South Sea Islands and elsewhere, Captain Champion says that the weather he has passed through on this trip is tho worst he has ever encountered) more especially the sea, which was fearful, terrific, and " wicked." All on board wore deeply grateful at being once more safe in port, and yesterday Captain Champion was cordially congratulated by his many friends 011 6horo on his safe arrival.

The Envy sailed from Wellington on the afternoon of t-Jie Bth inst., having on board 200 cases of explosives, part of her original cargo from Sydney. Light and variable winds prevailed until abreast of the East Capo on the 13th inst., when the wind came in from the south-east, increasing until it blew a moderate gale, by midnight the wind blowing with terrific force. Sail was reduced to close reefs, and the little vessol ran beforo the gale until two o'clock tlio next morning, when it was deemed necessary to hoavo-to. The squalls were terrific in violence, accompanied by a tremendous sea, and as water was continuously breaking on board, the oilbags were brought into requisition, with very good effect. Captain Champion reckoned it cut, and concluded that tho vessel's position was about half-way between the East Capo and the Great Barrier.

An attempt was made to pick up Citvier light without avail, and on tlio 14th lie thought they were close to tlio Great Barrier. Tlio Rale nt this time was nt its height; tho wind blowing terrifically, with a frightful sea running, the waves being mountains high. One sea came on board and swopt tho dock from stem to stern. It stove in the decklion, aft, carrying away a portion of it, and also a nor I ion of the rail and bulwarks, and it was then that {he mes?atre in (lie bottle was con«t£T|ipfl to the merrv of the wind and waves.

The pain continued throughout the whole of Ihe 15th, constant seas breaking on board, and filling tie decks with water, and the crew taking to the ratlines in the rigging for safety from tlio waves, it being feared that they would be washed overboard if they remained on deck.

On the 16th it was thought that the vessel was away to tho eastward of the Barrier; and there was nothing to do but to run before he gale, it being impossible for the vessol to hove-to, and even it it could have been managed there was the fear of drifting on to the island. The weal her was so thick and dirty that nothing could be seen for any distance, and it was deemed the wisest coitrso to let her go as she was. All this time tlio little craft was labouring and straining heavily, the seas continuously breaking over her. Blinding squalls accompanied the gale, which continued to rage all day on tlio 17th. large seas breaking on board and the vessel labouring and straining heavily. An observation was got on the 18th. the vessel being then off the Poor Knights, but the same conditions of weather prevailing, the vessel still kept mining before it, head-reaching all the time.

The gale moderated somewhat on tho 19th, but tlio sea still continued extremely heavy, and it was doomed advisable to let hor still go to the northward. On the 20th the wind moderated a great deal, allowing more canvas to be put on, but it was still blowing strongly from tho south-east, and at noon on the 21st the Three Kings were sighted, bearing southwest 30 miles distant. Bv this time the wind had moderated sufficientlv to allow the vessel's coureo to 'be altered, and she made for the North Cape, and passed Cane Brett on the 22nd, and fine weather prevailing along the ooast, the port was made yesterday morning.