Extract from the “ Miscellany” dated 31st March 1962 written by D.H. Davies, Pastor.

THURSDAY 8th FEBRUARY. RANGITATA

The wind had howled all night. Few had slept really well. Most were pondering what the sea would be like by 4 a.m. when the bell was expected to ring in preparation for the coming of the “Rangitata”

When it did ring, and the men folk and several women made their way to the landing with torches to light the way, they soon discovered that the harbour was reasonably good, but the open sea rather boisterous.

It was felt that three boats would be needed to care for the cargo, and the people‟s order from Duncan, Wallett & Co. Ltd. of London.

The mood of the men at the launching of the boats conveyed the mood of the sea. They moved quietly around the boats. Above the soft murmur of the voices could be heard the voice of the Chairman calling “one, two, three, haul,” and his echo was drowned in the great waves as they pounded the rocky sea-shore. Silently three longboats slipped into the troubled waters of the harbour.

It was not long before the boats were under control and faced out to sea waiting for the opportune moment. The captains with their faces strained and wet with perspiration and salt water stood up in the stern of their respective boats while their eager crews watched and waited for the words, “Pull! Everyman!”

The battle was on; the men against the sea.

When all boats were safely out of the harbour, the motor boat, like an old clucky hen with her chicks around her, was quickly attached to the other boats. We were on our way, and in about thirty five minutes reached our rendezvous.

The sky became overcast and the wind came with squalls, so the boats had to be kept on the move. The captain would nose the motor boat into the waves.

This was a terrifying experience for at the time the strong wind whipped up tremendous waves which appeared to be about to engulf us. When we turned to cross them our hearts seemed to come into our throats, shutting off any words that might be uttered. The boat was turned in silence.

Then came the hair raising experience of surfing on the crest of the wave. The two boats behind would also be caught and come hurling towards the motor boat. The silence was then broken when several of the men began shouting instructions to the captain. He tried to calm our fears by saying all would be well.

After nearly two hours of nerve wracking rides in very heavy rain, Pervis, the motor-boat captain consulted with the other captains. Seeing that the ship had not come, and was now long overdue, the decision was made to return to land. I am sure others along with the writer felt security in this decision; security that was short lived. To get our feet on terrafirma was not to be our pleasure till 4.30 p.m. What had happened? Someone had called, “Sail ho!” Out of the heavy squall the “Rangitata” appeared like a grizzly apparition.

Once again the boats were turned round and eventually we were onboard.

During the next hour and a half trading was done and the extensive cargo unloaded from the ship into the longboats. The Captain of the ship was reluctant to blow the whistle being anxious for our safety; we were seven or eight miles out to sea and could not see the island for continuous, heavy rain. He offered to tow us back nearer to land, but this was not successful as the sea had become even rougher. Within a short time of taking up the tow it was realised that it was too dangerous with the heavy laden boats, so we cut ourselves adrift, fearing fatal disaster. The motor boat as it came to secure the two other boats was caught in a big swell and the current dragged it under the bow of the vessel. As the big black ship rose high above us and paused about to plunge towards the little boat, eyes bulged with fear; petrifying fear. We seemed only seconds from death when a great wave suddenly shot the boat clear of the bow just as it plunged down where we had been a split second before. Some were unaware of what had happened as they were busy baling out water or vomiting over the side of the boat. Providence alone diverted a tragic disaster.

We had been given our bearing and told that we were three miles from the island. Land still was not visible. The “Rangitata” stood by fearing to leave us in case further assistance was needed.

After forty minutes of struggling under our own power, the ship came as close as possible and called to us over the megaphone that we had made no progress, and were still three miles from land. It was now felt by some of the crew that much of the cargo should go overboard. We were carrying heavy roofing iron as well as the stores and a new water tank for the school, and the flywheel of the motor was now under water inspires of continuous baling. Realising we had no sails with us we feared to think of our plight should the engine cut out. It certainly sounded sick, but somehow kept going. The men were ordered to the oars and this seemed to make the difference.

By changing course and going east, working by compass alone, we attempted to reach land by coming up behind the island. We were now making slow but gradual progress, and the “Rangitata”, four hours delayed to stand by us, steamed slowly away and we were alone.

I personally thought of Captain Bligh and his men and wondered if the “iniquities of the fathers was being visited upon the children unto the third and fourth generation”.

On this occasion there was with me the two school teachers, Mr. Howse about to depart, and Mr. Kinder recently arrived. What a farewell and initiation! I can still picture their faces, Mr. Howse thinking his farewell had indeed come, and Mr. Kinder wishing his had.

Visibility cleared and we could now see the island a mile and a half away. We came along passed „Down Rope‟ towards St Paul‟s‟ making slow progress. As we came round the front of the island we were into the wind once again.

Nearing the historic place where the was grounded and burned the motor cut out. Panic now set in through fear that we too were about to be dashed against the rocks without control.

Quickly the oars were snatched and the ropes cut leaving the two following boats to fend for themselves. Almost super-human effort was made with only four oars to get the heavy motor- boat away from the rocks and out to sea again.

The condition of the harbour was now really dangerous and only the experienced skill of hardened seamen could have possibly got the two boats safely in to quickly unloaded and go back to the rescue of the motor-boat, now drifting further and further from land.

Every available woman and child was waiting at the new jetty to chain handle the unloading of the soaked, sodden goods. This too, was a task as every carton was wet and fell to pieces and the tin goods had to be handled individually. A hundred and forty pound bags of dripping wet flour and sugar some of the women hauled round with amazing agility. Only a part of one carton of spaghetti was dropped into the sea and this the children later dived for.

Fully manning one boat and taking extra oars, a boat‟s crew now faced the sea again to go to the aid of the motor boat. When these two joined company a considerable portion of the cargo was passed over from the vessel in distress and both were then rowed back to harbour.

Normally the entire trip should have taken about three hours, but this day eleven tense hours had tried the nerve of those at sea and those waiting anxiously ashore.

“The worst experience in thirty five years” was the general opinion amongst the men who had wrestled with the sea all their lives.