THE HINEMOA IN A GALE OFF THE EAST COAST.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume VI, Issue 840, 21 July 1879, Page 2

THE HINEMOA IN A GALE OFF THE EAST COAST.

The Government steamer HinemOa left Napier at 11 a.m. on Sunday m the face of a fierce gale from the S.S.W. The wind gradually increased to hurricane force, with the sea running mountains high ; still Captain Fairchild kept her at it, although she was only doing four knots. She behaved splendidly, riding the waves like a duck, and never shipping any heavy water. The force of the gale may be imagined when the sea was beaten smooth m the heavier squalls. The weather was very thick, the fog never lifting, and the captain had to work entirely by dead reckoning. Squalls of hailstones that nearly blinded those on deck came down at intervals. It was an anxious time for those on board when they were supposed to be near Cape Pajliser. Then was the time when Captain Fairchild's intimate knowlege of the coast became of great advantage. He knowing what the steamer could do, had her position pricked off on the chart as being near the Cape, when the fog lifted, and there was no denying that he was correct. Captain Fairchild then gave her the fore-and-aft canvas, and when she rounded Palliser, set the topsails, and she then pegged it off to some: tune, 13£ knots being logged, arriving at the wharf at 10 o'clock last night. One old salt assures us that he never experienced such a gale of wind m his life-, the upper topsail yard being level with the sea when she dipped. Captain Fairchild deserves great credit for the skilful manner m which he handled his vessel. If he had made a mistake m his reckoning, or the Hinemoa had been a less weatherly boat, there is no doubt she would never have been heard of. We are assured on reliable authority that there has not been such, a gale — or hurricane is a better term — on the coast for years past. — New Zealand Times July 15th.