In her early days the Weathersfield, an iron ship, was credited with some fast sailing, but she never made any remarkable runs after being diverted to the New Zealand trade. She first came out to Wellington, arriving there on January 24, 1882, after a passage of 97 days. She visited Auckland the same year, arriving in harbour on December 10, 114 days from the docks. The ship was then commanded by Captain Sherris, and he remained in charge until

The Weathersfield.

1888, when the vessel, bound for Wellington, came to grief on the Otaki beach. Referring to the disaster, Captain Sherris stated the first land sighted on the New Zealand coast was Cape Farewell, off which, he lay becalmed for several hours. A breeze springing up during the night he hoisted sail, keeping a south-east by east course. At 4 o'clock the next morning the vessel stranded near the mouth of the Ohau, on the Otaki beach, broached to, and lay with her head to the S.E. Early the following morning Captain Sherris and the crew landed safely, but as soon as the position of the ship was ascertained they returned on board. At the inquiry Captain Sherris stated he was unable to account for the error, but he was under the impression that a strong current was setting in between Kapiti Island and the main land, which probably threw him out of his reckoning.

The barque was condemned, and remained fast on the beach for four years. She was first purchased by Mr. James Waller, and then sold to Captain Cooper for £475. Later, Captain Cooper sold an interest in the vessel to Messrs. T. G. Macarthy and J. Saunders. In 1892 the Weathersfield was refloated, and reached Wellington in tow of the Mana and the Government steamer Hinemoa.

Afloat Once More.

the Weathersfield after an overhaul was again dispatched to London, and came out in 1895 in command of Captain Holdcroft, arriving at Wellington onpage 198 December 7 after a trying and protracted voyage of 143 days. The passage was uneventful until the 10th October, when mountainous seas broke aboard the vessel, causing her to labour terribly. The cargo broke loose, and all hands were employed throughout the night of the 10th in making it secure. The gale continued with unabated force, and the vessel was frequently hove-to, on one occasion for 48 hours. Oil bags were used with good effect. The ship suffered serious damage to the rigging, and several of the yards came down. Shortly afterwards the weather moderated, and Captain Holdcroft, who had contemplated putting into Adelaide for repairs, decided to proceed to Wellington.

Now comes the most sensational part of the voyage. On the 23rd November Stephens' Island was sighted, and then a south-east gale sprang up. Two attempts were made to fetch Guard Bank, and a third attempt was also unsuccessful. The ship then made for D'Urville Island, but the weather coming on thick it was deemed advisable to run westward. On the 27th the vessel again made an attempt to reach Wellington. On the 29th she again sighted Stephens' Island. The wind fell light, and it was found that the tide was driving the ship on to the island. All hands were summoned to brace the yards.

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.