THE LATE GALE.

Timaru Herald, Volume VIII, Issue 281, 5 February 1868, Page 2

THE LATE GALE.

The following has been communicated to us by a well-known correspondent who is competent to give an opinion on such matters: — On Sunday, at mignight, the 2nd instant, the barometer was fa'liug, wbich, with the appearance of the sky, gave indication of a storm being near at hand. On Monday, the barometer at 4 a.m. stood at 29.80, and from that time until midnight it commenced to fall gradually one-tenth m every two hours. At noon it vren evident to every practical man that if the steamer William Miakm, which was anchored about half-a-mile from the shore, was not cent to sea, she could not possibly ride out the gale. At 4 p.m. this became a certainty, a3 the sea was making a complete breach over her, and. m fact, breaking outiJde the ship Timaru, riding at anchor ful'.y one aud a quarter miles from the shore. At midnight on Monday the barometer took a stand at 28.80, and soon after commenced to rise, the thermometer also rising, thereby indicating a change of wind, which, m fact, shortly after become quite wavm. The fears entertained for the steamer William Miskin were, unfortunately, fully verified; for shortly after mtdnight she parted cable, and about 2 a.m took the beach on the north side of LeCrca's Gully, and m less than ten minutes bscasic a *otal wreck. ■ The question now arises upon whom i;he blame should fall for this melancholy catastrophe. We are supposed lo have a harbour master with a pilot uuder his command. Is it not part of their duty to sea to the safety of vessels riding m the roadstead, and, should occasion require it, signal for them to go to sea, or ride ia the roadstsad at their own responsibility? lam of opinion the present wreck, which most undoubtedly will more or less damage the favourable impression now existing respecting Timaru, calls for a most searching enquiry. j I