THE CRUISE OF THE BLANCHE,

Otago Witness, Issue 1161, 28 February 1874, Page 14

THE CRUISE OF THE BLANCHE,

The Post gi\ cs the following account of the cruise of the Viicht DUnche: - The K.Y.S. schooner-yacht Blanche . sailed from Bluff Harbour on '22nd January at 5 p.m., having on board his Excellency the Governor and suite, the Bishop of Duuedin, and I)r Hector. Meeting strong N.W. winds, she put into Preservation Inlet on the 24th, at daylight, and anchored in Cuttle Cove. She was unable to proceed until the 27th, when the weather moderating, she beat up for Dusky May, but the wind again increasing, at 4.30 p.m. bore up tor Chalky Inlet, and anchored inside at 7 p.m. Strong N.W. winds again prevailed until the 2nd instant, when she sailed with light breeze at G a.m. Again encountered N.W. tcile and heav.v soa, and on the 3rd at noon anchorccl in Vwkeivj^U Harbour, and experienced vorv hea\ v gale from N.W. until Uth.whcn the weather moderating, got under weigh, but found wind to ) light to work out against heavy .swell, and anchored in Cosaade Cove. On the 7tb sailed at 10a,m,; tltiult Toyt came on, and anchored in Anchor Jsland Harbour. On the Bth sailed again, and on the Oth stood through Strait; passed Bluff on 10th, at (> a.m., without communicating except by hoisting Governor's flag. K\pcrienccd S.W. gale off Nuggets, and ran 4S miles in live hours. Off Otago Heads on 11th, and at eight p.m. missed stays, nv\irm to fierce squall and short can 79 being close on rock, let go starboard anchqr,which dragged at first, but held with 25 fathoms chain, tlio cliffs being only the vessel's length astern. A steamer coming dowii, the Blanche burned blue lights and rockets, but she anchored about a quarter of a mile to windward. The tide belli I,'1 ,' on the turn, an 1 the undercurrent causing the cable to strain heavilj , buoyed and slipped the cable, and the vessel canted under he-.uls-.iit-. and foresail and ran out ; sot reefed siiuiiicvii) and maintrysail and stood for Akuroa Heads. On the latli, at 10 a.m., strong N.E. wind, put into Akaroa and unuhureU. l,.ui(]ud the Kishop of Duuedin and Dr Heutw, and coiuniunieuted with Wellington. On the 13th, at noon, weighed with fresh breeze, but wa.s becalmed at the Heads. On ],">th, at 8 a.m., about l."> miles south of Kaikonnus, stood close in. At 3 p.m. met the Luna, which boarded and delivered' letters and papors. At night strong N.N.K wind. On the 10th heavy gale ; hove-to tlnrimr the night, and the barometer fell to 2S.bO. On 17th moderated, and worked oj) under Cape Campbell, rounded it at 2 p.m., and stood along Cloudy Bay, with strong N.N.W. wind, and anchored at nightfall in Port Underwood. On the 18th sailed at 7 a.m. with fresh breozo from N.W. , and anchored in Wellington Harbour at 2 p.m. ,