20

the cranes to load the coal for Dunedin. So we got loaded
in a day or two, and sailed. So after we got all sail on
her and everything shipshape, the first cry was all hands
to the pumps as the mate had sounded the wells and
found about three feet of water in her. So we started the
pumps and after an hour and a half we got a suck
out of her that showed she was nearly dry. But we found
we had a long spell at the pumps every two hours so
we had a bit of a talk about her leaking so badly
and just thought if we got into any bad weather it would
just be the last of her. Anyhow we was very fortunate
and had a nice fair wind, which carried her across
to Dunedin in six days and mighty glad we was to
arrive and get clear of the pumps for a bit, as I guess we
just carried across. So we discharged her cargo of
coal into one of the hulks in Port Chalmers. So we took in
Ballast just as much stones as stiffen her as we had signed
Articles for six months and we thought it was no use asking
for our discharges until we got to Newcastle as there was
no coasting vessels in either Port Chalmers or Dunedin. So
we sailed and of course was not half as bad as far as
the pumps was concerned, as she was only about half loaded
and did not make so much water. So we arrived in New-
castle in about fifteen days and dropped her anchor in
mid stream and one of the men came to quietly and says
what do you say if we go aft and ask the captain if he will
pay us off as between you and me he says if he don't pay us
off I do intend to bold and as I said that I am just in
the same mind as yourself as I am not going to sail in
her anymore, when she is loaded, as if she gets into heavy
weather that would finish her. So aft we goes and told the
steward that we wanted to see the captain so he came
and asked what we wanted and we asked him if he
would kindly discharge us and upon my word I thought
he was going to jump down our throat. No he says you
have signed articles for six months so you will have to