THE VOYAGE IN THE CAPTAIN'S BOAT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 7542, 20 April 1886, Page 2

THE VOYAGE IN THE CAPTAIN'S BOAT.

The boat in which the captain escaped was stove in while being carried from the weather to the lee side of the ship, and was cobbled up with pieces of blanket, which did not, however prevent her from leaking rather seriously when launched. She now lies on the Wellington wharf looking no^ much the worse for the stormy voyage. The captain and the 10 men took their places in the boat, the captain being last to leave the ship. The captain's boat missed the stern lme, and although efforts were made by one of the other boats to tow her back again, she was obliged to be let go, and drifted out to sea. Then came IU hours of struggling with the pitiless storm. The men were wet to the skin by the rain and the seas that broke aboard the frail craft, with no refreshment beyond a little brandy. Chilled to the bone and with cramped limbs, it is a wonder that the whole 11 should have survived. All the men are loud in their praises of Captain Thompson, whose hand never left the tiller the whole time. It required much perseverauoe and skill to prevent the boat drifting among the breakers, and it was only by carefully watching the waves and dodging them that she escaped. When daylight broke it was found that the boat had drifted nearly to Cape Caranbell, and it was decided to make for the Cape. The sea was running too high, however, and it was soon seen that there was no chance of getting to shore. Two small steamers were noticed sheltering at the Cape, but although signals v.-ere made to them no reply was re-' ceived, and, iudeed, the boat must have been quite invisible in the boiling surf at a short distance. About this time atremendouse sea struck the boat, which almost swamped her antl greatly increased her leak, which was now so serious that two men constantly bailing were only just, able to keep the water down. The poor fellows suffered very much from thirst.

A considerable quantity of passengers' luggage has been recovered from the hold of the la.aroa and been sent away to Wellington in the Wakatu. Amongst the boxes was Mrs Fitzgerald^ which was much damaged and a portion of the contents lost in the water Yesterday a gang of men put on by the Union Company got out more luggage, but had to leave the vessel on account of the heavy seas. She showedsigns of heavy strai-iing *

The Taiaroa's cargo was sold this afternoon tc Watson a.nd M'Kenzie for £30.