A Perilous Moment.

The vessel, however, continued to drive towards the island, and she only cleared the rocks on the northern end by a cable's length. Then a light air sprang up, and with every stitch of canvas set the Weathersfield drew away from the land. The wind soon afterwards dropped, and the ship began to drift towards Saddle Rock. All on board expected her to strike at any moment. The kedge anchor was dropped and the lifeboats launched with provisions.

At this critical stage, when about half her length from the island, and driving between the Saddle Rocks and the island, a light air sprung up from the south-west, and then the vessel passed along the island within half a ship's cable from the rocks at the northern end. The sea was now gradually rising, and the ship commenced to roll heavily. The men in the lifeboats had to scramble aboard for fear the boats would be smashed against the vessel's side. The boats were eventually cut adrift, as they could not be raised, the apparatus having carried away.

Captain Holdcroft found it impossible to fetch Wellington Heads, and was compelled once more to run out of the Straits. On December 5th, the ship was steered for Lyttelton as water was running short, but the weather fell calm. On the following day a favourable wind enabled her once more to steer for Wellington Heads, which were successfully negotiated after a most trying experience for all on board. Captain Holdcroft stated on arrival that the officers and crew had worked splendidly, and many of them were suffering from severe exposure.

the Weathersfield again sailed Home, and under Captain Croker left London on June 17th. She arrived at Wellington (after calling at Sydney Heads for Instructions) on October 12th, 1896, the passage taking 117 days. The barque was then placed in the intercolonial trade, visiting Sydney, Newcastle and Western Australia. Her last voyage was from Bunbury, Western Australia, with a. cargo of timber. She was lying at anchor for a long period in Wellington Harbour, and eventually, in 1909, sailed for Suva, Fiji, having been purchased by the Union Steamship Company, and, I believe, is still doing duty there as a coal hulk.