ARRIVAL OF THE S.S. WM. MISKIN.

West Coast Times, Issue 344, 30 October 1866, Page 2

ARRIVAL OF THE S.S. WM. MISKIN.

Much to tlio gratification of (he public, nnd the groat relief of many persons who, having friends on board the missing vessel, were especially interested in her fate, the Wm. Miskin wnsi.t dn\ligl tyest r ay morning seen snugly nt anchor oil 1 the bur". The g od news soon spread, causing much congratulation that she had at lsist turned up, for many believed the little steamer had met with a fate similar to that which befel the ill-starred City of Dunedin. Ther. , in the roadstead, she lay, however, safe and sound, looking fresh and smart a* nival, and it. was > t once evident that nothing extraordinary had cause I her very long detention. A large concourse of people assembled on the wharf to witness her arrival in the river, and when she reached her mooring* at tlie quay her decks were immediately covered by tin enjjer crowd, of which some wire i»n the fnok-oiit for friend b, but the great majority wej*e influenced by feelings of curiosity mingltkl with satisfaction, which found vent ill extending to Captain Hepburn and his ship's company the heartiest, of welcomes. It nppetrs that the William Miskin arrived olf, the port, nfc 9.30 p.m. on Sunday, ard although it was then quite dark, tlie signalman felt co-fident, from the position of her lights, and an occasional glimpse of her hull and spars, that she wns no other vessel than the MUkin. But in the event of a mistake on his part, he very wisely forbore to' spread thp report, ell knowing the excitement it would occasion, and the proportionate disappointment, providing it turned put io he untrue. By the courtesy df Captain Hepburn, who placed tho' ship's* log-book at our disposal, we arc enabled to lav before our readers the following account' of ler protracted trip from Dunedin :— On Tuesday, October 9th, the s.s. William Mi<km cleared Otago Heads at 2 p.m., with light N.E. winds and plensant. weather, and at 11 p.m. she was abreast fhe Nuggets, the s.e. Keera having passed her about three hours previously. Arrived at Bluff Harbor Wharf at 9 u-in. the next day, and half anhour afterwards ' the Keera, which ' had reached there before her, left. ; followed at 11.30 a.m. by the Miskin, which in the meantime increased her store of coal by four tons. A.t 10 p.m. she was abreast the Solander, "foaming against n. s'rong and increasing N.W. breeze. The day ended with a still nor-wester and heavy sea. The 11th commenced with a strong N.W. gale, which freshened in squalls, accompanied by constant rain. At 1 a.m. there being every up pearance of exceedingly dirty weather, she 'bore up for Codfish Island, when the wind suddenly fell light and scant, which induced h % r to keep on her eouVse' again. At 11 a.m. Preservation Inlet was on I}A" starboard beam, and as the N.W. gale again sprung up with bitter 'squalls of rain' and hail, she deemed it prudent to run Jor shelter, and ut 5 p.m. broimht up in the Inlet, riding to her anchor with 30 fathoms of chain. At midnight the gale blew furiously', accompanied with a de luge of rain, heavy squalls, and thunder and lightning. Throughout. Friday, the 12t!j iust., the gale blew heavily from N.W. and W.N.W., attended by much thunder and lightning, and very heavy squalls of rain. At noon on the 13ih, the weather slightly moderatod, which induced Captain Hepburn, who was anxious to make a passage, to get under wiegh and try to reach Chulk\ Inlet, but the Miskin was met by such a furious gale outside, and a sea which made a clean breach ovi r the vessel, that he was compelled to run for it, and again brought up at his former' anchorurge on twen-ty-five fathoms of chain, and to steady the vessel a stern warp was run out to the shore. That day ended with a heavy W.N.W. gale and constant rain. The same weather prevailed throughout the following day, keeping the Miskin to her anchor. To prepare for contingencies, she took' on board fane boat load of firewood and filled yip water. The 15th commenced with more moderate weather, and at 9 n m. the steamer was got under weigh, and proceeded down the jnlut. On gaining an offing, found the gale blowing with 1 unabated violence, and a heavy head sea running ; : but üm er steam and canvas managed to work up to Chalky lulet. and as there was no chance of rounding the VWst Cape in such weather, she bore up and anchored in Chalky Inlet in ttvo fathoms water. Lay quiet the following day, and got several boatloads of firewood on board. At 2 p.m. on the 17th, made another attempt to put to sea. but barely cleared Chalky Island when the gale and mountainous sea again forced her to turn tail, and run for the anchorageshehadjust left. At midnight the increasing gale compelled her to let go the second anchor, and run out stern moorings to Mie shore. To quote from the log-book) t\\o ended with severe N.W. galeß, hard squalls, and constant heavy rain. The next days proceedings were a mere' repetition of those which took place the preceding day. The gale moderated towards noon, and an attempt was made to get to sea, but when clear of the friendly lee afforded by Chalky Island, the full fury of the gale was encountered, and once more the Mibkin bore up, and came to in her former pdsition. " Ctot- on' board some firewood, and made all snug' for the night. No change in the weather took place on the 19th ; but during the night the gale increased, and the Miskin commenced to drag. At 4 am. she was got under weigh, and moved closer to the weather shore. A fresh supply of firewood was this day cut and taken in. • October 20— 'Do weather? crew 'employed firewqp ling. In the afternoon the gale took off, and the Captain proceeded in a boat to the mouth of the inlet to see how the weather looked outside. Found a mountainous sea. running, and a heavy N.W. gale still blowing. On Sunday, the 2l.<t, another delusive change occurred, wly'eh induced the Miskin to get her" anchor up and proceed to see. This time she managed to round the West Cape, but "being met with a heavy north gale, and Uigli sea, she was compelled to run for Peik'ergili's Harbor, where she anchored in 14 iathonis water, and moored with lines to the shore, On this date the log-book tells us that the fuel ha\ ing run short, she was unable to proceed" on her voyage. Another entry states that the hatches were taken off and Hie cargo hroached, tv ike. ships stores were exit itisted. She remained at anc'xor until the following day, aijd. in the meantime cut and took in more lire-wood, and filled the bunkers with coal out of main hold. At noon the wind shifted to the SW., and the Miskin got underweigh, but was hardly clear of tho entrance when the wind chopped* into its old quarter. Carried on sail and wtcam, and at 7.3.0 p.m. was abreast of Breaksea Sound ; the" weather more moderate, which enabled her to keep (he high seas. Next day, the 23rd, when off ■ Thomson's Sound, she passed Lord Aihley steering south. At 10 a.m. the wind freshened from the NNE., so the vessel was hove-to under easy steam and fore and aft canvas. After the sun bad crossed the meridian the breeze freshened to a heavy gale, and at 2 p.m. blew terrifically, tho s^a. making a clear breach over the vessel, so once 'more the helm was put up, and tho shelter of, Doubtful Inlet made for. Reached the anchorage at Dean Cove at 9 p.m., let go both anchor?^"fourteen fathoms water, and ran' out quart* g ; lines to the shore. The day closed in with'a heavy gale and severe squalls. During the two following days she remained at. anchor, the" pVew employed cutting firewood and getting out the lust of the coal from the main hold, and at ty a.m. on the 2Gth, the gale having at Ja«t blowil ttself out, she put to sea, and crept up the coast to Jackson's Bay, ! where she wue compelled {0 anchor at noon on the 27th, for tlie purpose of cutting firewood, not a pound of conl feaing left. Proceeded to sea again at 5.30 p.inV, and at 10 a.m. on the 28th anchored in Qkarita roadstead, and the bar being very'smooth she sent' ,4 boat on shore, an I procured one ton of coal, also a supply of provisions, as both crew and p.isscngcrM Were re.lueed to a diet of ham and Dour. ' She left Okarita at. 1 p.m., with light N.E. breezes, and uiidiored oil' Ilokitika at }.Q

p.m. Ne\t mornirg, Cap,*. Hepburn boarded the p.H, Nelson, and on making known the condition of hif» vessel was promptly supplied with conl by Captain Whitwell, and at tido time the Miskin weighed anchor and si f.-ly crossed the bur.