The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1856-12-11

ship continued to drag and thump as we Judged g
a distance of three miles until we were in 81 fatbon'
of water when we discovered the land about q MY
distant, with the surf breaking very heavily upon AZ
shore. At this time, which was about 4 P. NJ, IhslS
q consultation with my officers and we unanimousIs
concluded that in order to save the ship and the Iiyss
of those on board, the masto must be cut away, which
was Immediately done. After clearing away tba
wreck found the ship much eased and she rode to he.
anchors, however still striking occasionally tried
the pumps and found her making some water.
Having now done everything in our power for the
safety of the vessel we commenced packing proyisionS
and other necessaries and making preparations for
our support in case the ship should break up and
compel US to go on shore. The wind continued n
blow very heavily during the night and if anything
rather increased in violence. By the morning of the
9Th October the wind had somewhat abated the
weather cleared up, and we discovered a bark lying
at anchor about seven miles distant. AT s A. NJ,
the wind and sea having gone down, lowered a boat
and went to this vessel which we found to be the bark
Harmony, Capt. Hampstead, to whom we stated our
situation and solicited his assistance. Capt. Hemp
stead stated that he would willingly give us a passage
to Honolulu, though to do so he would have to put
the crew of the .Ndtchez in the hold, ON the water
casks which gave but little room on account of their
coming very nearly up to the deck. He also stated
that, as the season was far advanced. and the weather
was very bad, what was to be done must DE done
quickly, and that we must put our own provisions on
board the Harmony as she had no more than enough
for her own crew.
In order to facilitate operations the HarmoRu then
worked further w the Bay to a place of greater
security. During the whole of the 9th the wind blew
q gale from the northward with a heavy sea which
caused the ship to thump and she dragged to within
a quarter of a mile of the breakers, and as we ex-
pected her every moment to break up employed our
selves in getting out provisions to last US In case We
should have to winter on shore. On the 10th October
had strong winds from the n. E. with thick weather
and rain. On the 18th the wind being light and
variable, took our anchors, and with the assistance of
a small kedge belonging to the Harmony, worked the
ship to mid stream in order to work up with the tide.
During this day Capt. Hampstead was on board the
Vatchez, and during a part OF the time enc boat and
crew from the Harmony rendered us assistance In
towing to within q short distance from the Harmony
where we came to anchor. On the 18th had strong
winds from the northward put on board of the
Harmony a quantity of provisions for our sus-
tenance to the islands. On the 18th experienced
strong winds from the northward and eastward got
up anchor and tOwed the ship up the Bay, Capt Hemp
stead being on board all day. October IA, had Gains
and variable airs hove up the anchor (and towed the
ship on shore at q small blight about 3O miles up Pot
tiers Bay, where, after Tightening her by starting
water we succeeded in getting her 80 far up that we
could walk around hsr at low tide. There with. our
own tackle and hawsers, and the kedge from the
Harmonu we made the Matches fast. Our object in
thus hauling up the ship was to secure a shelter for
ourselves IL case of accident to the Harmony in
consequence of remaining on the sea so late in the
season, and to secure the property as far as possible.
1t was impossible for us to transfer anything but
oOA0 W W SN ~A'-
mony as it was freezing weather, and the Harmony
had but little room after slowing our crew and pro-
visions below. The wisdom of this course was proved
ON the passage down as it is questionable whether, if
heavily loaded, the Harmony would have survived
the bad weather we experienced on our way to the
Islands. Our whalebone was all in the gum, and not
in a condition to ship, and we used our exertiOns
wholly and only to arrange matters SO that we could
get out of the sea before the season closed. -Four Of
the crew of the .Natchez remained by the ship to look
out for the property. and to Get provisions on shore
1t is extremely questionable in my mind whether the
ship viii be found whole. aud in her place next year.
We embarked on board of the Harmony at POtters
Bay, on the 18th October, ON the 10Th, stood out of
the Bay, and got clear of the land on the 18th, az
irving at Honolulu on the 4th Dec. after a long and
stormy passage.
beg to publicly return thanks to Capt. Hampstead,
for myself and ON behalf of my ships company, for
his kindness to us in our troubles, and for the readi-
ness which he exhibited to render us every assist
ances, and for affording a passage to this port.
DEXTER BELLOWS,
Late Master Ship Matches, of New Bedford.