Bad Weather

Mission Ketch Delayed By

The ketch “Patterson,” built recently by Mr. Lars Halvorsen for mission work in the New Hebrides, after satisfactory trials, left Sydney Harbour for the New Hebrides on January 19, with a crew of four; but she reappeared on January 29 at Jervis Bay, on the South Coast of New South Wales, having been driven back by rough seas and contrary winds. The crew immediately made preparations to resume the voyage.

The run of bad luck continued after the ketch returned to Sydney on January 31.

She left Sydney for New Hebrides again on Feb. 3. When about 40 miles north-east of Middleton Reef, on Feb. 8, the rudder stock carried away; and the vessel ar rived in Newcastle on Feb. 13, after sailing 600 miles with an improvised rudder con sisting of a batten hanging astern, and a couple of small paddles at the side. The seas were generally very rough, but the ketch proved a splendid sea-boat. She came on from Newcastle to Sydney, where she will be repaired at Mr. Lars Halvor sen’s yards.