CRUISE OF H.M.S. BLANCHE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 284, 12 April 1869, Page 2

CRUISE OF H.M.S. BLANCHE.

k'H.M.S. Blanche left Wellington en route for the Auckland Islands on the 11th of last month, taking as passenger Mr Balfour, M.T.C.E., whose object was to ascertain if possible the practicability of erecting a lighthouse on the Snares, a small group of islands or rocks between the South Island and the Auckland Islands. The object of the Blanche's visit to the Auckland Islands was an order from the Admiralty to examine every six months, the . different depots of necessaries left on these islands for the

[ relief of shipwrecked crewsj A cruise among these islands is seldom looked upon as a j yachting tour, they being the whole year i round the centre of many furious gales, which have proved fatal to many an unfortunate vessel coming within their influence. But this, indeed, is all the more reason why ) they should be visited, past experience showing to what chances previous survivors have been indebted for their lives. And who more fit to visit these regions than men-of-war, , who, when not fighting our battles are protecting and assisting their countrymen, and provided with all that ingenuity can devise to meet such dangers and risks are more adapted for such an errand of mercy. All down the coast of the Middle Island the weather was calm and beautiful, and we were congratulating ourselves on our good fortune and rapid progress, little knowing that it was all yet to come. That day, Sunday the 14th, it came on to blow very fresh from the south westward,and as we cleared the South Island, the sea rose quickly, and in the afternoon it was blowing very fresh indeed from S.W., when suddenly a puff more violent than the rest struck the jibboom. Instantly and without hesitation, numbers of men sprang out to clear the wreck, but in their endeavours, one who had been the foremost lost his hold and fell overboard. Those who have heard it well know the effect of that cry, " man overboard." At once the sharpest eyes were set to watch the small speck as it got further and further. The ship was stopped and a boat lowered in the space of a moment. He had got hold of the life buoy, and though it was some time beEore he could be seen from the boat and longer before he was picked up and brought up, on account of the heavy sea, still all were thankful he was saved ; so doubtful it tras, that the man himseli had given up all lope. We were then off the Snares but the lay was so thick and a dirty night coming, ire went on, intending to sight them on our eturn. Arrived next day at the Auckland slands, and anchored in the evening in jaurie Harbour, better known by its original lame of Sarah's bosom. Next day parties started in all directions, ome to examine the depots, some to shoot, ,nd some to cut roads ; this last party, fired >y public zeal and led by an energetic officer, levoted their whole time during our stay to his object, and accomplished the arduous ask of making a most useful road through ne mile of the densest bush imaginable. H Next day (ltith) the captain and his Hfficers landed and formally took possession Hf these islands in the name of her Most ftracious Majesty Queen Victoria, for the ■few Zealand Government. Feu dejoies were Bred and three hearty cheers given in for Bur new possessions. B Next day two exploring parties were sent By boat to Enderby and Rose Islands, but no Bace of inhabitants were discovered, and Biding the stores and provisions untouched Bid in good order, we prepared to sail the Kllowing day for Norman Inlet. BOn Friday, the 1 9th, steamed up Norman flilet, a narrow strip of sea running some six Biles into the heart of the Island. Here was Brpposed to be a depot, but whoever fancied |fc placed it there must have made a mistake, Hr no signs of it could be found, and night Hming on, the ship anchored, intending to Hntinue the search on the morrow. But He next day broke Arith a threatening look, Harning us to remain at anchor. Later in He day the squalls became more violent, till H last they struck the ship with such force Hat she actually heeled over and trembled H the blow. The place was so narrow that no Hore cable could be veered, and there was H»thing to do but hold on. At one o'clock, Hough in such a sheltered place, surrounded mm high bills, a squall struck the ship so Holently that she heeled over ; suddenly the Hblo strained and groaned for a moment, and HHrted with a loud noise. Instantly another Hchor was let go, almost before the ship had Hpfted ten yards, but this second so close H&der the forefoot was not sufficient to hold |Br, and the next squall she dragged and Hfnt quietly on shore. The water of course perfectly smooth, except during a squall, ißien it was lifted from the surface and Hjpwn over the ship in spray, so sharply that Bgstung the face like hail. The steam was g O t U p > heiug under banked mo, BHd the screw moved, but it struck the rock H| sharply it was left alone and an anchor B«l out, the cable brought to the capstan, EBd in less than half an hour the men were Bnning round and her bow slowly moving Hftm the shore. No sooner was the bow free ■Bin the wind caught it, and the good little HHshor holding swung the ship round and BBengaged the stern, but it was impossible to BHnain the night in such a place, and all Hftte was made to hoist the boat in and go to After much difficulty, the squalls being Hnv so furious that those exposed to them Hflpld hardly stand, and the ship had to steam mU against them continually, the boats got in, the anchors stowed, and the |B|p flying before the squall, rushed to sea. Night came on so suddenly we lay-to, intending to go into Carnley HHrbour next day. But next day came on ■Hrse, and putting the ship under a closej^Bfed maintopsail and forestay sail, we lay j HHfor the rest of the week, every morning that the gale would abate, but in rain; thinking it hopeless to wait any longer, HH unwillingly bore up for Otago harbour ; until Sunday morning, when off Otago HH the weather moderate, but on that Sunday everything was smiling again, and BH sea as smooth as glass. The pilot came 9H and took us in, and we anchored off Fort Hfflilniers, having safely got across the bar. H^Bre the greatest civility and kindness was HHwn to the officers and men, the owners of 8H Steam Navigation Company putting their HBmers at their disposal. A number of HHers and men visited Dunedin, and were BH;h pleased at their kind reception. During j^H short stay of the Blanche in Fort ChalBH's sue was visited by a great number of — the ship being thrown open to the

public. The Blanche left Dunedin on the 31st, and called at Akaroa harbour for one night, coming on to Wellington the next day, and arriving here on the 3rd. She brought up as passengers Mr Balfour, M.T.C.E., Lieut. Woods, C.M.S., and Mr Knight, Assistant Surveyor, the latter two having been engaged in sounding the bar to ascertain whether the Challenger can enter the harbour. — Wellington Independent, April 8.