THROUGH FOG AN BREAKERS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 6, 23 August 1911, Page 7

THROUGH FOG AN BREAKERS.

WITHOUT A PROPELLER. There arrived in Wellington for the first time on Sunday last the tramp steamer Hyndford, in command of Captain - Horne. This vessel was built about six years ago, and it was while on her maiden voyage that her crow had a most thrilling experience. It was at 2 o’clock on the morning of September 11th, 1900, alter passing through the Straits of Magellan, that the Hyndford’s u really serious troubles commenced, the four blades of her propeller snapping while the vessel laboured in a- heavy sea. On the following day, when the weather had moderated, Captain Horne took observations, which showed that the vessel was forty miles west of Cape Pillar. After consulting his officers, the captain decided to despatch a life-boat to Punta Arenas. Five of tire crew were sent in the boat at 4 o’clock in tbe afternoon, and nothing more was heard of these brave fellows. The captain then gave orders to get sail on the ship, and every available stich of canvas was put on. The following day it blew a hurricane from the south which sent this steamer of 4000 tons odd along at the rate of four knots an hour. The Xoyr Islands were sighted to the eastward on the morning of September 14th, and it Was an unwelcome sight, because the hapless sailors knew -that there was no anchorage ahead and that the merciless rocks woidd make short work of their vessel. Boats were provisioned and swung in readiness for the forlorn hope when the vessel should strike.

Captain Horne ordered such sails as were set to 'be taken in ilnd rebent backwards, in order to propel the vessel stern wards, and so carry her off tlie shore. The Hy'hdford was thus enabled to clear the l.and and rocks. At mid-day bn September 17tli, Ildefonse Rocks loomed ahead. The vessel was drifting towards these when a thick fog came down and shut the rocks from view. Never before or after had matters looked so critical. When night came down the fog became more dense, and the crew stood about the docks in groups peering into the gloom and waiting for the ship to strike. The captain, however, decided to stick to the ship until she actually struck and' in this decision he was loyally supported by all.

Early the following morning the sound of surf could be heard on every side, and the crew realised that they were in the midst of the rocks. However, to the crew’s amazement, the ship did not strike and the roar of breakers finally died away. When dawn broke, fine and clear, the crew discovered that the rocks bad l)oon left behind, the ship having drifted right through them—a marvellous performance, and one which the captain states has never before been accomplished. Drifting with the current, the ITyndford was 70 miles south of Cape Horn on September 22nd, when the German steamer Emile, from Copenhagen, was sighted. A member of the crow was sent to tlie Emile with the request that the vessel’s plight might, be made known at the earliest opportunity. Returning to tiio Falkland Islands, the Emile reported the Hyndford’s condition, and asked that help should be sent. Immediately steamers were sent out in search of the Hyndford.

Meanwhile the sails had been again spread and on October 7th the vessel dropped anchor at. Eagle Passage and was afterwards towed by the tug Sampson, to Port Stanley. Owing to the fact that no labour could bo secured at this port, the crew were obliged to ship a new propeller.